Rukkaya was on a ventilator at Cooper Hospital until late Monday evening but was shifted to Masina Hospital along with three other injured children due to the absence of a special unit for burns victims at Cooper. Four others were shifted to Kasturba Hospital, but later their parents also brought them Masina.

“Kids are in an acute surgical shock phase, where the plasma leaks out of the body leading to low blood pressure which, in turn, causes shocks as the body looses fluids,” said Dr S M Keswani, consultant plastic surgeon at Masina Hospital.

Of the eight, three also suffered respiratory burns and are being given high concentration of oxygen. “Kids inhaled the fuel and when the van caught fire they also inhaled the heat resulting in burning of respiratory epithelial tissue, which in medical terms means thermal injury to upper airway. Oxygen is one of the essential treatments for respiratory burns hence the kids are on a high concentration of oxygen. This will help gas exchanges even in conditions like swollen mucosa that is obstructing airway,” said Dr Keswani.

According to Dr Keswani, it is too early to comment on their condition. “Right now it’s a question of resuscitation as all are critical. It is only after two weeks that we will be able to assess the patients’ condition for a reconstructive surgery,” he said.

Doctors are worried that children have been left with dead skin, which may lower chances of a reconstructive surgery.

When asked about how many children were eligible for reconstructive surgery, Dr Keswani said, “Only after the kids survive the acute surgical shock phase that we can think of a reconstructive surgery. For the first five days, which is the most crucial period, we will try to resuscitate them and only then we can assess their condition.”

As of now, children are on oxygen, IV fluids, antibiotics and painkillers at the hospital.