MANILA, Philippines - The number of people injured by firecrackers as recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) has climbed to 140 including a 14-year-old boy who was amputated due to the new firecracker named after Super Typhoon "Yolanda."
In his Twitter account, DOH Assistant Sec. Eric Tayag said as of Friday morning, the agency has recorded 134 firework-related injuries, one case of firecracker ingestion and five stray bullet cases.
The health official said 82 of the 134 firework-related injuries reported were caused by piccolo.
Tayag said in Cebu City, a 14-year-old boy lost his right hand from the firecracker "Super Yolanda" while in Iloilo, a five-year-old lost an index finger after using "Camara" or a small dynamite.
2013 total FW related injuries 140: FW injuries 134 FW ingestion 1, Stray bullet 5; 2012 total 146: FW 143 FW ingestion 1 Stray bullet 2
— Doc Eric Tayag (@erictayagSays) December 27, 2013 Amputations due to FW injuries: 1) 14 yo, male, cebu city, lost right hand fr super yolanda; 2) 5 yo, male, iloilo, lost index finger R hand
— Doc Eric Tayag (@erictayagSays) December 27, 2013 The number of firecracker injuries so far is lower than the 146 recorded in the same period last year, according to Tayag.
On Thursday, DOH Sec. Enrique Ona said some of those injured were passive users or did not actually use firecrackers.
“Many of them are just watching those using fireworks but still get injured and it’s saddening,†he said in a STAR report.
Read: Firecracker, stray bullet injuries continue to rise
He also reminded the public that accidents can always happen during the New Year celebrations.
"Many people are still suffering from the calamities that hit our country so don’t add (to that),†Ona also said in the report.
Last month, Super Typhoon Yolanda slammed into the central Philippines and devastated Eastern Visayas, leaving over 6,000 people dead, millions affected and thousands homeless.