Delhi Fire Dept records highest Diwali emergency calls in 10 years; 3 dead, 12 injured

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): On Diwali night, the Delhi Fire Department reported an unprecedented number of emergency calls, marking the highest volume of incidents in the past decade. As of November 1, officials confirmed receiving 320 distress calls related to fire accidents and emergencies across the capital, a substantial increase compared to previous years. Tragically, the spike in fire-related incidents resulted in the deaths of at least three people, with another 12 individuals injured, according to the Delhi Fire Services.

Delhi Fire Services Director Atul Garg noted that between midnight and 6 am, approximately 158 fire-related cases were reported. He mentioned that there were no major incidents but a high volume of calls was logged. From 5 pm the previous day until midnight, around 192 calls were recorded, followed by another 158 between midnight and 6 am. In just 12 hours, the number of calls surpassed 300, highlighting the intense demand for emergency services during the festivities.

Additionally, an incident involving a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus raised concerns when a passenger carrying potash—an inflammable substance commonly used in firecracker manufacturing—triggered a blast. This incident, reported around 6:30 pm, resulted in two injuries. Earlier in the evening, another passenger sustained burns when firecrackers ignited on the bus. Meanwhile, the capital saw a significant rise in pollution levels following the Diwali celebrations, with areas recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) over 350, indicating very poor air quality and raising health concerns for residents.