Chandigarh- In view of the Diwali Festival and anticipation of many emergencies due to cracker injuries, the Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER had made elaborate arrangements to ensure immediate treatment to the patients reporting to the emergency services.

Doctors, nursing staff and other allied staff were posted on special emergency duty round the clock from 20-10-2025 (8:00 am onwards) till 22-10-2025 (8:00 am).
A total of 26 patients came to the Advanced Eye Centre during this period with alleged history of fire crackers injuries in 48 hours.
 There were 23 males and 3 females. 13 of the 26 patients (50%) were children ≤14 years of age, the youngest being 3 years old.

There were 14 patients from Tricity- 9 from Chandigarh and 5 from Mohali.  [Chandigarh: (Dhanas-2, Sector-29, Sector-21-1, Sector 19-D-1, -1, Sector-26-1, Sector-52-1, Sector-28-1, New Chandigarh-1, Sector 38-1)].

 The remaining 12 patients were from the neighbouring states of Punjab (8), Haryana (1), Himachal Pradesh ().
11 patients were observers/bystanders and rest 15 were bursting crackers themselves.
 Type of firecracker : Bomb -11; Rocket -3; Phuljhari -1; Sky Shot-4, Lantern candle wax – 1
Potash Gun-1
 Out of 26 patients, 10 patients needed surgery and all have been operated upon. Nineteen (19) patients had closed globe injuries out of which 4 have serious injuries.

7 patients reported to the Department of Plastic Surgery , PGI with injuries related to firecrackers.  3 patients had hand injuries because of firecrackers bursting in hand. 1 patient had facial injuries because of bursting of firecrackers . All of these have been operated upon in ATC.1 patient had less than 3 percent thermal burns and was disharged after treatment.
2 patients had major burns and are being managed in Burn ICU and HDU under Department of Plastic Surgery