DOH REPORT: New Year injuries jump to 211
At least 74 more people were treated for fireworks-related injuries after the New Year revelry, bringing the total casualties nationwide to at least 211, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
From Dec. 21 up to 6 a.m. of Jan. 2, DOH sentinel hospitals have treated 211 people for injuries, usually to the hand or eye, caused by fireworks or firecrackers.
The number is 16 percent higher than the 182 fireworks-related cases treated in sentinel hospitals during the same period last year.
No cases of indiscriminate firing nor death due to fireworks has been reported.
The DOH said 11 people suffered amputation due to the severity of the blast or burn injuries.
The skyrocket-like “kwitis,” which is legally allowed, was the most common cause of injury.
‘Relatively peaceful’
The other top causes of injuries were the makeshift cannon-like “boga,” which has been prohibited, as well as the 5-star and fountain.
The youngest fireworks victim was an 11-month-old baby while the oldest was 80 years old. The median age among those injured was 17 years old.
The casualties were predominantly male.
Nearly half or 102 of the 211 injuries occurred in Metro Manila.
The DOH said it would continue to monitor fireworks-related cases until Jan. 6.
But the Philippine National Police on Monday said the Filipinos’ New Year’s celebration this year was “generally and relatively peaceful” without major incidents.
“Our overall assessment of the celebration of New Year is that it was generally and relatively peaceful,” Col. Redrico Maranan, chief of the PNP public information office, said at the Laging Handa briefing. INQ
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