15 Patients With Firecracker Injuries Reach Aakash Healthcare During Diwali, 11 Suffer Eye Injuries; Foreign Particles Found Lodged In Eyes Of 9 Patients.

New Delhi, Delhi, 9th of November, 2026 : Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka reported 15 cases of firecracker-related injuries during Diwali. Of these, 11 patients suffered eye injuries, while four patients arrived with burn injuries on other parts of the body.

Notably, in 9 of the 11 eye injury cases, foreign particles were found lodged in the eyes, reportedly linked to shot crackers. The injuries included corneal abrasions, lodged foreign bodies in the eyes, and severe damage to the eyes, including serious cases like open-globe injuries. The patients were aged between 13 and 49 years. The youngest patient was just 13 years old.

Drawing from its experience of seeing several cases of firecracker-related eye injuries during the last Diwali season, Aakash Healthcare had strengthened its emergency medical preparedness well in advance this year. Based on past experiences, the hospital further strengthened its emergency response protocol and ensured availability of specialist doctors to handle a possible surge in injury cases during the festival. This preparedness helped medical teams provide immediate treatment to patients, assess the severity of injuries, and start necessary treatment. Timely treatment was especially critical in cases where immediate medical intervention was necessary to save the patient’s vision and prevent further complications.

Dr. Prashant Chaudhary, Senior Consultant & Head, Ophthalmology & Refractive Surgery, Aakash Healthcare, said, “This Diwali we saw a worrying situation. In 9 of the 11 patients who came with eye injuries, foreign particles were found lodged in the eyes, reportedly linked to shot crackers. These particles can scratch the delicate tissues of the eyes, cause deep injuries inside the eye, which can put vision at risk. The most worrying thing is that such injuries may not heal on their own and the consequences can last for a long time. When the eye is injured, do not try anything at home and do not try to remove any particle stuck in the eye yourself. To prevent further damage to the eye and ensure maximum chance of saving vision, it is extremely important to get examined and treated by an eye specialist immediately.”

Dr. Aashish Chaudhary, Managing Director, Aakash Healthcare, said, “The experience of last Diwali helped us anticipate potential medical emergencies during the festival this time. Keeping this in mind, we strengthened our preparations in time and ensured that our emergency teams and specialist doctors were ready to handle every situation. The arrival of 15 patients injured by firecrackers, including 11 cases of eye injuries, once again underlines how important advance preparation is. During a medical emergency, preparedness, coordination and timely medical decisions can make a big difference in the patient’s treatment outcomes. Our teams are committed to giving patients the best possible treatment, but prevention is equally important. We appeal to everyone to celebrate Diwali responsibly so that this festival of lights does not become the cause of a lifelong injury for anyone.”

Doctors’ Advice: Take These Precautions While Bursting Crackers

• Always maintain a safe distance while bursting crackers.
• Never leave children alone while bursting crackers. They should always be supervised by an adult.
• Avoid shot crackers and crackers that eject particles at high speed.
• If a cracker does not burst, do not try to relight it at all.
• If the eye is injured, do not rub the affected eye and do not put pressure on it.
• Do not try to remove any particle or foreign object lodged in the eye yourself.
• Do not use oil, kajal or any home remedy in the injured eye.
• In case of an eye injury, seek medical help from an eye specialist immediately.

Aakash Healthcare once again emphasises that better coordination between emergency medical preparedness and public awareness is extremely important. The hospital remains fully prepared to handle unexpected medical emergencies, but celebrating the festival responsibly and taking necessary precautions is the first and most important step towards preventing injuries.