Fireworks injuries surge to 557, including 10-month-old infant

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Two days after the New Year’s Eve revelry, fireworks-related injuries surged to at least 557, nearly double last year’s official tally of 307 persons injured by fireworks during the Christmas and New Year celebration.

On early Wednesday, hospitals reported to the Department of Health (DOH) that 114 more people have been treated for fireworks-related injuries.

The youngest victim is now a 10-month-old baby boy from Metro Manila whose right eye was injured at home by “kwitis,” a legally allowed firecracker that has been the top cause of injuries for many years.

The oldest victim is now a 77-year-old man from the Ilocos Region who suffered burns at home from the legally allowed firecracker “whistle bomb” lit by someone else.

The DOH attributed the surge in injuries to the official lifting of the state of public health emergency last June after three years under the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This may explain why access to fireworks is higher, leading to more use. Household use is still prevalent,” it said in a statement.

The DOH said it would “strongly push for safer fireworks regulations” and for a change in cultural behavior to veer away from household fireworks use to community fireworks displays.

About half of the 557 people injured are minors or below 18 years old, official data showed. Most of the injured are male.

1 death

The DOH has so far confirmed one death due to fireworks — a 38-year-old man from the Ilocos Region who reportedly lit a cigarette near a firecracker storage while he was having drinks with other people.

The DOH has also so far confirmed one casualty from indiscriminate gun firing during New Year’s Eve — a 23-year-old man from the Davao Region who was shot in the back.

At least 28 persons suffered amputation, including a 4-year-old boy from Central Luzon who lost all fingers of his right hand due to the illegal firecracker “dart bomb.”

At least 150 people suffered eye injuries, one of whom became blind.

At least two persons suffered hearing loss due to firecrackers.

The top fireworks that caused the injuries are kwitis, “5-star,” “pla-pla,” “boga” whistle bomb, “luces,” and “fountain.”

The 5-star, pla-pla, and boga are illegal fireworks.

The DOH began monitoring fireworks-related injuries last Dec. 21 and will receive reports from select hospitals until Jan. 6.