Firecrackers injured 60 in Ilocos region

Residents buy firecrackers to ring in 2023 at a designated zone in the capital city of Laoag in Ilocos Norte. Photo by John Michael Mugas

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—The Department of Health (DOH) reported that at least 60 residents in the Ilocos region suffered injuries from firecrackers during the holiday celebrations from Dec. 21, 2022 to Jan. 1, 2023.

At least 45 victims sustained blast and burn injuries that required no amputation, while two others needed to be amputated, 12 suffered eye injuries, and one was struck by a stray bullet, the regional DOH report showed.

In Ilocos Sur, the provincial police office said that a nine-year-old child was hit in his foot by a stray bullet.

There were no reported cases of ingestion of firecrackers, according to DOH.

Most of the firecracker-related incidents were traced to Pangasinan province, with 45 injuries, in La Union (9), Ilocos Sur (5), and Ilocos Norte (1).

According to the DOH, the total number of incidents reflected an increase from the 33 cases reported during the same period last year.

At least 20 percent of the 60 injuries happened “under the influence of liquor,” the DOH report showed.

Most of the injured were children aged five to nine years old.

An illegal, improvised cannon, also called “boga,” was the most common firecracker used, which caused injuries to 18 individuals.

It was followed by “kwitis” or skyrocket, with 16 injuries, and “whistle bomb” and “luces,” with five injuries each, the DOH said.

According to DOH regional director Dr. Paula Sydiongco, all the injured were treated immediately in health facilities, and provincial DOH operation centers will remain on standby until Jan. 5. INQ

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