DOH reports 8 injured by fireworks on New Year’s Eve; total now 115

The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday, New Year’s Eve, logged an additional eight cases of firecracker-related injuries, bringing the total number of victims this holiday season to 115.

Six of these new cases occurred at home and on the streets, with the two others incurred injuries at designated areas, DOH’s surveillance report from 6 a.m. of December 30 to 5:59 a.m. of December 31 showed.

Five of them were also hurt due to illegal fireworks, while seven cases had active involvement in using the fireworks.

The ages of the new victims which were all males ranged from 4 to 37, with a median age of 12.

This batch included the amputation case of a 4-year-old boy from Central Luzon who lost all five fingers on his right hand due to an illegal firework called “Dart Bomb” which he lit at home.

The DOH said the child’s neck was also injured due to the illegal firework.

The agency also reported no additional reports of ingestion from any victims.

A total of 115 fireworks-related injuries have been reported so far before the year 2024 arrives.

Almost four out of every 10 cases came from the National Capital Region at 44.

This was followed by the Central Luzon and Ilocos Region with 13 cases each, Soccsksargen with 9 cases, Calabarzon with 6 cases, Cagayan Valley with 5 cases, Bicol Region with 5 cases, and Western Visayas with 5 cases.

Davao Region has the fewest cases, with only one reported so far, said DOH.

Ninety six percent of the overall injuries also happened at home and in the streets, mostly by males with active involvement.

The top identified fireworks that caused most injuries were Boga, 5-Star, Kwitis, Piccolo, Luces, Pla-Pla, and Whistle Bomb.

Illegal fireworks caused about six out of every ten cases of firecracker-related injuries. —KG, GMA Integrated News