Cracker injuries darkenfestival of lights'; many hospitalised in Karnataka

October 31, 2016

Bengaluru, Oct 31: Despite awareness drives regarding precautions to be taken while bursting crackers, the eye hospitals in major cities of Karnataka witnessed a steady stream of patients, mostly minors, with some sustaining serious injuries.

For the family of ten-year-old Varun from Chikkaballapur Chintamani, this Diwali turned out to be a nightmare. Varun was rushed to Minto hospital on Sunday afternoon, after he sustained injuries on both eyes.

He got injured while bursting crackers outside his house, after cracker particles entered both the eyes. According to Minto hospital authorities his condition was serious and has been hospitalised.

A ten-year-old girl Dharini too was admitted at Minto Hospital for a major eye injury. For 39-year-old Kavitha, her decision to take a stroll near her house in Kallahalli proved costly, as she was admitted to Minto hospital with a major eye injury.

There were at least 28 cases of firecracker-related injuries, ranging from minor burns to potentially permanent eye injuries, during Diwali celebrations in Bengaluru city alone.

Minto Eye Hospital saw four cracker-related injuries; three of those were children, one as young as 3. All were minor cases, with patients receiving out-patient care.

Twenty persons were treated for minor burns at Narayana Nethralaya in Ra jajinagar. Two kids were brought to MC Modi Charitable Eye Hospital in Mahalakshmipuram. Samprathi Eye Hospital and Squint Centre treated a five-year-old boy who injured his eyelid.

A majority of those injured were bystanders, indicating that firecrackers were burst on the streets, and not in demarcated safe areas.

Humans were not the only ones affected by crackers. Animals too suffered burns and hearing loss, stray dogs in particular. The Happy Paws Foundation rescued six crows from across the city, who had been burnt by crackers. While five are out of danger, one is critical. The foundation will travel around the city, locating and treating injured animals.

Comments

Wen diwali comes we should expect some losses of money and life... thats for sure... Wasting money and life.

When people are far from God.. they tend believe in every superstitious rituals..

All those, who play with the fire crackers and cause pollution deserve punishment.

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

Comments