The Diwali celebrations in Hyderabad resulted in around 50 people, including a three-year-old boy, getting injured. Most of the injuries were to the eyes from bursting crackers. Compared to last year, there were slightly fewer eye injury cases this year. Last year, there were about 100 reported cases. Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital received 72 patients with eye injuries, with 10% of them being serious cases.
Out of the 50 injury cases, 43 were men and seven were women. Seventeen of them were children under 15 years old. The L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Maxi Vision, and other private hospitals also reported a few eye injury cases. Dr. Raja Lingam, the superintendent of SD Hospital, stated that they have set up teams to attend to the patients affected by firecracker injuries. Five patients with major injuries are currently under observation.
The increase in eye injury cases during the festive season serves as a reminder of the risks associated with firecrackers and the importance of taking precautionary measures for a safe Diwali celebration. A senior doctor from a private eye hospital mentioned that the majority of incidents in the city highlight the lack of adherence to safety precautions. They also emphasized the need for citizens to become more cautious and for the Health department to organize awareness campaigns.
Despite the police ban on bursting sound-emitting crackers on roads and public places except between 8 and 10 pm, some people continued to burst fireworks until early hours of Monday.
