Firework injuries tally to increase, may top 500 — DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) said Friday the number of fireworks-related injuries, which stood at over 200 as of early New Year's morning, could still increase as data are still being validated.

Health spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said more than 300 cases of fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) could be added to the 235 incidents, which was reported as of January 1, Thursday.

"Patuloy po ang pagkalap at pag-validate ng data ng ating Department of Health - Epidemiology Bureau. May nakikita po tayo na maaaring dumagdag na 300 plus na kaso ng fireworks-related injuries doon sa 235 na naiulat na kahapon," Domingo said. 

(We continue to validate data from the Department of Health - Epidemiology Bureau. Three hundred plus cases may be added to the 235 reported yesterday.)

Domingo said the total number of injuries could still increase as there are still late reports being collated and validated. 

The DOH earlier said that the 235 firework-related injuries were recorded nationwide from December 21, 2025 to 4 a.m., January 1, 2026.

The figure was 42% lower than the 403 cases logged during the same period last year.

The DOH said the top causes of FWRIs were unknown firecrackers, Boga, and 5-Star.

Meanwhile, Domingo advised the public to immediately go to emergency hospitals if they have been injured due to fireworks and firecrackers. He added that vaccinations against tetanus in government hospitals are free. — VDV, GMA Integrated News