Man dies after hugging lit ‘bombshell’ firecracker

A drunk man was killed on New Year's Eve after a firecracker called "bombshell" exploded in his face.

The victim was identified as Ronald Vericio of Paltoc Street, Barangay 426 in Sampaloc, Manila. He was the only fatality so far recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) in relation to firecracker-related injuries.

"(The) number of deaths will not be zero; meron tayong isa. Ang unang sinabi sa amin, lasing 'yung pasyente at sa kalasingan niya, sinindihan niya 'yung Goodbye Philippines at niyakap niya ito," DOH Secretary Janette Garin said on Friday.

Garin said Vericio was first rushed to the Ospital ng Sampaloc after the incident, and was transferred to the Ospital ng Maynila, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Witnesses said Vericio embraced the already lit firework called "bombshell," not Goodbye Philippines as earlier reported by DOH.

The witnesses added that the victim was not aware that the firecracker was already lit.

Neighbors said the victim was said to be known for playing with firecrackers every New Year's Eve. He would stand on the edge of a "pla-pla" and would only leave just seconds before the firecracker would explode.

Last year, from December 21, 2014 to January 1, 2015, no deaths related to firecracker injuries were reported by the DOH.

The DOH meanwhile also reported a "general reduction" in the number of firecracker-related and stray bullet injuries.

As of 6 a.m. Friday, the DOH reported a total of 384 firework-related injuries, which is 57 percent lower than the five-year average, and 53 percent lower compared to 2014.

Out of the 384 cases, 380 were injuries from firecrackers, while the other four cases were stray bullet-related injuries. —Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/KG, GMA News