Firecracker-related injuries rise to 262

MANILA, Philippines - The number of firecracker-related injuries rose to 262, according to the Department of Health.

As of 6 a.m. New Year's Eve, the DOH recorded a total of 253 people injured due to fireworks' blasts while one ingested a firecracker.

The DOH also monitored eight cases of victims of stray bullets.

Of the total number of people injured, 164 or 65 percent were caused by the banned firecracker piccolo, the DOH added.

Last year, the DOH recorded a total of 207 fireworks-related injuries.

The DOH is expecting between 50 and 80 cases of firecracker-related injuries every hour from 6 p.m. of Dec. 31 up to 6 a.m. of Jan. 1.