LUCKNOW, Nov. 10 -- Major government hospitals across Lucknow witnessed a surge in emergency cases on Diwali, with at least 612 injured patients being brought to five major hospitals between Sunday and Monday.

At the King George's Medical University (KGMU) Trauma Centre, 203 patients were admitted over November 7, 8 and 9. Of these, 30 had sustained injuries from exploding firecrackers, while eight others were injured after being struck by them. Patients with severe injuries were admitted to the plastic surgery department.

Dr Vijay Kumar, head of the surgery department, said the number of severely injured patients was higher this year than last year. Several people suffered injuries when firecrackers exploded in their hands or pockets, ...