DOH records 18 more fireworks-related injuries

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 18 more fireworks-related injuries long after the end of New Year’s celebrations.

The DOH said 18 additional cases from 6 a.m. yesterday brought to 100 the total number of injuries recorded since Dec. 21.

The figure, the DOH said, was 75 percent lower than the cases recorded in 2019, and 83 percent less compared to the five-year average.

Ninety-nine of the injuries were due to fireworks while only one was due to a stray bullet. No fireworks ingestion was recorded.

Almost half or 45 of the cases came from the National Capital Region (NCR), and 71 were males with ages ranging from two to 57 years.

Seventy-two had blast injuries not requiring amputation, while 24 suffered eye injuries, and four sustained blast and burn injuries.

DOH said 64 percent were passive users, and 54 percent occurred on the street.

Most or 58 percent of the cases were due to illegal fireworks, with kwitis leading the cause of injury, followed by luces and piccolo.