THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Around 124 injured victims of Paravur fireworks disaster were brought to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital on Sunday. Eleven people succumbed to their injuries en route to the city whereas
two died at surgical ICU, officials said.
As the first set of patients reached the hospital in ambulances by around 5.30 a.m, it was a hectic day for 100 doctors, including house surgeons and senior PG students. Officials under District Collector Biju Prabhakar camped at MCH to coordinate admissions. Special help desks were opened beside casualty as most of the victims hailed from Attingal, Chirayankeezhu and Varkala.
Later in the day, 15 experts from New Delhi were rushed to MCH from All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Safdarjung Hospital and Ram Manohar Lohya Hospital along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy. Plastic surgeons, doctors and nurses from Tirunelveli Medical College also came in for assistance.
“The burns clinic had just seven beds and so temporary ones were set up in two wards. Around 63 people were admitted to wards 5, 9, 14, 15, 18, 19 and 22. Others were kept at observation and causality,” the MCH said in a statement.
“We had enough medicines in our stock and had a big man power. In the morning, doctors from across the city and those at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology had volunteered to assist us but they were kept on standby as we had a high doctor-to-patient ratio,” a doctor said.
The injuries of patients ranged from fractures to burns and localised injuries to eye damage. Around eight bodies were identified at the MCH.
Fireworks during flag hoisting for Thrissur Pooram cancelled
The gruesome tragedy during a firework display in Puttingal Temple at Paravur near Kollam claiming the lives of more than 100 people has forced a rethink on fireworks display amongst a section of its adherents.
The firework, scheduled to be held as part of the flag hoisting ceremony of Thrissur Pooram on Monday, has been cancelled. The Thiruvampady and Paramekkavu Devaswam officials have conveyed the decision on Sunday.
The head of the Malankara Orthodox Church Baselios Thomas Paulose-II has directed to put an end to fireworks display in connection with church festivals. Travancore Devaswom Board member Ajay Tharayil said that a directive has been issued not to have Kampakettu in temples coming under the Travancore Devaswom.
