DOH spokesperson Dr. Eric Tayag. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health said Monday that the number of people who suffered various injuries from firecrackers and stray bullets has risen to 244.
In an advisory on Twitter, Dr. Eric Tayag , assistant secretary and National Epidemiology Center ( NEC) director, said most of the victims suffered injuries from the miniature piccolo, one of the most dangerous firecrackers in the country.
According to Tayag, only one incident of ingestion of pyrotechnic product has been recorded and five have sustained injuries from stray bullets.
In Tondo, the DOH said a nine-year-old boy sustained injuries from a piccolo blast.
DOH records showed that last year 188 people were hurt during the New Year revelry. It said 185 were injured from actual firecracker blasts, one from ingestion and two from stray bullets.
But the Philippine National Police had a lower count. Its records showed only 40 were injured from firecracker blasts last year and 11 were hospitalized after being hit by stray-bullets.
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