Chandigarh, 9 November 2026: Seven patients with firecracker-related injuries were reported to the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, during Diwali celebrations, according to a hospital official quoted in a report published on Monday.
Four patients sustained hand injuries when firecrackers exploded in their hands. Three underwent surgery at the Advanced Trauma Centre, while one required dressings rather than surgery, The Tribune reported on 9 November, citing Dr Atul Parashar, professor and head of PGIMER’s Department of Plastic Surgery.
Three patients treated for thermal burns
The same report said three other patients suffered thermal burns after their clothing caught fire. The burns covered approximately 15% to 20% of their bodies, according to the department head, and the patients were being treated in the Burn High Dependency Unit under Plastic Surgery.
The figures describe cases reported to this PGIMER department. They should not be interpreted as the total number of firecracker injuries across Chandigarh, Mohali or Panchkula, or as a final count of all Diwali-related hospital admissions.
What the reported injuries show
The cases involved two different injury patterns: direct explosions affecting hands and flames igniting clothing. Hand injuries may require urgent specialist assessment because of the complexity of fingers, tendons and nerves. Burns can also require close monitoring and treatment in dedicated units.
The Tribune’s report does not provide patient names, ages, long-term prognoses or a final discharge tally. No such details have been inferred here.
Tricity’s Diwali preparedness and hospital response
Authorities across Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula had announced special Diwali safety arrangements, including police checkpoints and emergency-service readiness. Read our earlier report on Tricity Diwali security preparations. That earlier report concerns arrangements before the festival; the PGIMER figures are a subsequent hospital update.
For residents, the incident reports reinforce the importance of keeping hands away from lit or malfunctioning fireworks, maintaining a safe distance, avoiding loose or flammable clothing around open flames, and ensuring children are supervised. These are general precautions, not a claim that any specific patient ignored safety guidance.
What to do after a burn or firecracker injury
For a minor thermal burn, cool the area under cool running water for about 20 minutes and remove jewellery or tight items if they are not stuck to the skin. Do not apply ice, butter or toothpaste. Cover the area loosely with a clean non-stick dressing. Seek urgent medical attention for deep burns, burns affecting the face or hands, extensive burns, breathing difficulties or blast injuries. Severe bleeding, amputations or suspected eye injuries require immediate emergency care.
Reporting source: The Tribune, 9 November 2026, reporting the PGIMER department head’s account. The figures have not been independently matched against a separate published PGIMER case bulletin.
Featured image: existing editorial illustration of a generic hospital campus, used for healthcare context. It does not depict PGIMER Chandigarh, its patients or the Diwali injuries.