193 firecracker-related injuries reported so far

AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The number of firecracker-related incidents continue to climb in the days leading to the New Year based on records from the Department of Health, with the total reaching 193 as of 6 a.m. Sunday.

Of this number, 192 cases were reported to have been caused by the banned firecracker ‘‘piccolo’’, while one was due to firecracker ingestion, Dr. Eric Tayag, Health Assistant Secretary, said in his Twitter account.

The Department of Health has also recorded five people being hit by stray bullets.

The DoH also noted that the top three cities in the National Capital Region with injuries caused by piccolo so far were Manila with 24, Quezon City with 7, and Mandaluyong with 6.

For the same period last year, the department recorded only 175 firecracker-related injuries, one ingestion and three people hit by stray bullet.