Fireworks victims lower but injuries more severe —DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday the number of fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) in 2025 might be lower compared to 2024, but the injuries sustained by victims were more severe.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo reiterated that the number of FWRIs could breach 500, pending validation of more than 300 cases recorded which were on top of the 235 incidents reported as of January 1, Thursday. 

Domingo said even if the number would be “more or less” 500 FWRIs, it would still be lower than the 803 FWRIs recorded in 2024.

However, the DOH official said that while the number of cases is lower, the severity of injuries sustained by victims were more critical.

“Generally, mukhang mas mababa ‘yung bilang pero para bang mas intense ‘yung mga sugat. Siguro ‘yun ang titingnan nang mas malalim na analysis,” Domingo said.

(Generally, it looks like the number was lower but the injuries were more intense. We will analyze that trend further.)

The DOH, he said, classifies FWRIs victims as “burned without amputation” or “burned with amputation” and also lists those who sustained eye injuries as well as those who had their lungs affected by firecrackers or fireworks.

Domingo said that most of FWRIs victims were minors.

“Consistent pa rin eh. Karamihan ng mga naputukan ay menor de edad (It’s consistent that most of the victims were minors),” he said.

As to deaths related to firecrackers, the DOH official cited the 12-year-old boy who died instantly in an explosion in Tondo, Manila on December 28.

As to deaths due to stray bullets, Domingo said there was one confirmed case so far and another five undergoing validation. —KG, GMA Integrated News