DOH: Casualties due to firecrackers, stray bullets rise to 443

A total of 443 casualties due to fireworks and stray bullets have been recorded, including 212 which were reported only since the year started, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

The DOH's latest surveillance report showed that of the 212 new cases, 206 injuries occurred at home and along the streets. Almost half of them, or 102 cases, were also due to legal fireworks with only 94 having active involvement.

The Health Department also confirmed the first death due to fireworks, involving a 38-year-old male from Ilocos Region who apparently lit a cigarette while drinking with other individuals near firecrackers in storage.

It also reported its first case of stray bullet injury—a 23-year-old from Davao Region who suffered a gunshot wound on his left upper back.

Last Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said two persons were killed due to firecracker and stray bullet incidents after the celebration of New Year 2024.

The ages of the new cases of fireworks-related injuries ranged from 1 to 71, with a median age of 22. Most of them were also male (166 cases).

There were also six new amputation cases, bringing its total to 17.

A total of 122 individuals suffered eye injuries, with one patient who became blind. Another hearing loss case was also recorded, pushing the total to two.

No additional reports of ingestion have been logged so far.

Overall, 441 of the 443 injuries recorded from December 21 to January 2 were due to fireworks, one was due to watusi ingestion, and one was due to a stray bullet.

Most of them still came from the National Capital Region with 254 cases.

It was followed by the Ilocos Region (36 cases), Cagayan Valley (35 cases), and Calabarzon (29 cases).

Ninety-seven percent of the injuries also happened at home and in the streets, mostly by males with active involvement.

The fireworks that caused at least seven out of every ten injuries were kwitis, 5-star, boga, pla-pla, whistle bomb, fountain, luces, piccolo, and triangle. — VDV, GMA Integrated News