Mandi Dabwali is a town on the border of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan and an important trading centre for all three states. The main source of income in the region is agriculture, and as the term 'Mandi' signifies, there is a large grain market in the town.
The local school was celebrating its annual day on December 23rd 1995. All the 1300 students of the school, parents and guests packed the 'Marriage Palace'. The Marriage Palace was similar to ones that are found throughout North India. The roof is made of galvanised iron, and is decorated with cloth and plastic. There was only one exit and no fire fighting equipment.
A fire broke out which spread throughout the structure in a short time. Those who were in front of the hall tried to force their way out through the exit at the back of the hall. Those who were at the back were trying to save their children in the front. The tin roof trapped the heat under it.
Over 400 people died, school children, parents and some senior government officials. Many others suffered severe burns. The hospital where the largest number of patients came was the Christian Medical College (CMC) Ludhiana.
Christian Medical College has a six bed intensive care unit for burns, along with an intermediary care unit. The occupancy of these areas is nearly always 100%.
The thirty two patients from Mandi Dabwali was a major challenge for the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Other wards were converted into burn care areas. Doctors from other surgical units helped out. Nurses were assigned special duties. Expensive medicines had to be purchased. The brunt of the work however fell on the Plastic Surgery Department. Dr A.G.Thomas, Professor and Head of the Department, and his team worked day and night to save these patients. Nine patients succumbed to their burns. The extent of the burns of patients who came to this hospital was between 25-90%. Several patients needed ventilatory support.
Treating burn injuries is extremely expensive and is personnel intensive. Specially trained doctors and nurses are required to treat these patients. Haryana Government has given Rs. 24 lakhs (approximately £45,000) towards their treatment, however this figure will not cover the costs.
In March 1996, three young children were still being treated in the hospital, a two and half year old boy his head still completely swathed in bandages, a ten year old girl with burns to her face and both hands, and a five year old girl with leg burns.
Lengthy treatment will be needed for those who are recovering if their physical scars are to be relieved. We pray that those affected will also be helped to come to terms with the tragedy through the love of Christ shown to them.
The local school was celebrating its annual day on December 23rd 1995. All the 1300 students of the school, parents and guests packed the 'Marriage Palace'. The Marriage Palace was similar to ones that are found throughout North India. The roof is made of galvanised iron, and is decorated with cloth and plastic. There was only one exit and no fire fighting equipment.
A fire broke out which spread throughout the structure in a short time. Those who were in front of the hall tried to force their way out through the exit at the back of the hall. Those who were at the back were trying to save their children in the front. The tin roof trapped the heat under it.
Over 400 people died, school children, parents and some senior government officials. Many others suffered severe burns. The hospital where the largest number of patients came was the Christian Medical College (CMC) Ludhiana.
Christian Medical College has a six bed intensive care unit for burns, along with an intermediary care unit. The occupancy of these areas is nearly always 100%.
The thirty two patients from Mandi Dabwali was a major challenge for the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Other wards were converted into burn care areas. Doctors from other surgical units helped out. Nurses were assigned special duties. Expensive medicines had to be purchased. The brunt of the work however fell on the Plastic Surgery Department. Dr A.G.Thomas, Professor and Head of the Department, and his team worked day and night to save these patients. Nine patients succumbed to their burns. The extent of the burns of patients who came to this hospital was between 25-90%. Several patients needed ventilatory support.
Treating burn injuries is extremely expensive and is personnel intensive. Specially trained doctors and nurses are required to treat these patients. Haryana Government has given Rs. 24 lakhs (approximately £45,000) towards their treatment, however this figure will not cover the costs.
In March 1996, three young children were still being treated in the hospital, a two and half year old boy his head still completely swathed in bandages, a ten year old girl with burns to her face and both hands, and a five year old girl with leg burns.
Lengthy treatment will be needed for those who are recovering if their physical scars are to be relieved. We pray that those affected will also be helped to come to terms with the tragedy through the love of Christ shown to them.
