Mussel trader hurt in dynamite blast

A mussel (tahong) trader was critically injured after a stick of dynamite prematurely exploded in his hands while apparently fishing off the Navotas coastline the other day.

Victim Oscar Mabalda, 38, engaged in mussel farming and trading, residing at Bagong Silang Street, Barangay San Jose, Navotas, was rushed to the Tondo Medical Center for multiple injuries he sustained.

Attending doctors said Mabalda’s right leg may have to be amputated.

Mabalda also sustained injuries in the right buttocks and most of the right side of the body.

Case officer SPO3 Aurelio Galvez said the incident happened at around 8:30 a.m. off Barangay San Jose.

Witness Dexter Estrada, 22, fisherman, told probers he was taking his breakfast with eight other fishermen when he saw Mabalda wade into the water to get to his mussel farm.

To everybody’s surprise, a loud explosion was heard sending the victim bloodied, with his right hand severed, into the water.

Witnesses quickly fished Mabalda out of the water and took him to the nearest hospital.