THE Department of Health (DOH) on Friday reported 704 injuries from firecrackers during the New Year celebration.
DOH spokesman Albert Domingo said in a radio interview that the primary cause of injuries — 127 cases — was “kuwitis” (skyrockets) followed by “boga” (improvised cannons).
He added that 39 cases required amputation.
Victims of firecrackers are rushed to the Jose Reyes Hospital in Manila just hours before the New Year. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN
Domingo reminded the public of the long-lasting harmful effects of firecrackers and called for stricter measures against pyrotechnics.
“The harmful effects of fireworks are lifelong — severed fingers or hands, burned skin, blindness, and even lung disease. Even though the number of people using firecrackers and its victims has decreased as 2025 approaches, we cannot disregard those who were injured or died. A stricter campaign against fireworks is needed,” read a DOH statement in Filipino.
In a related development, the DOH reported 606 road traffic incidents from Dec. 22, 2024, until 6 a.m. of Friday, Jan. 3, with 29 new cases reported on the day in eight pilot sites, a 31 percent increase compared to those recorded in 2024.
Of the seven deaths reported, four were from the 433 motorcycle accidents recorded by the Health Department.
Drunk driving was the cause of 115 road accidents, while 527 resulted from not using safety accessories.
Be the first to comment