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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Department of Health reported on Friday, January 2, that fireworks-related injuries following the New Year’s Eve revelry is now at 593.
As of 6 am Friday, January 2, a total of 593 cases have been reported – a 69% jump from the 351 cases initially reported on January 1.
January 2 | January 1 | |
Fireworks injuries | 580 | 346 |
Stray bullet | 10 | 3 |
Fireworks ingestion | 3 | 2 |
TOTAL | 593 | 351 |
Though the figure may still go up as the DOH finalizes its tally, it is still lower compared to the 804 cases of fireworks-related injuries from 50 hospitals nationwide reported last year, as stated in the DOH report posted on the Official Gazette (gov.ph).
January 2, 2015 | January 2, 2014 | |
Fireworks injuries | 580 | 793 |
Stray bullet | 10 | 9 |
Fireworks ingestion | 3 | 2 |
TOTAL | 593 | 804 |
Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag, meanwhile, tweeted that there were 986 cases reported in the same period last year.
As of Jan 2 6:00am Total firework related injuries was 593 vs 986 same period last yea;r Down 40%; Count ends Jan 5 6:00am
For this year, cases of eye injuries and amputations have also increased –almost double just after a day.
January 2 | January 1 | |
Eye injuries | 103 | 59 |
Amputation | 25 | 14 |
Piccolo, the main injury-causing firecracker, has now produced 223 cases of injuries – up from the 166 cases reported on January 1.
Despite the increase in injuries, the DOH said there are still no verified reports of casualties related to firecrackers or fireworks use in connection to the recent festivities.
Tayag earlier said that they are expecting figures to increase as they continue to monitor cases of firework-related injuries until January 5.
Crackdown on firecrackers
The Philippine National Police said on January 3 it confiscated 127,930 firecrackers during the 2014 holiday season.
More than half or 55% of reported injuries were attributed to illegal fireworks, but the rest were caused by legally sold ones, according to DOH.
From December 16, 2014 to January 3, 2015 police also arrested 55 persons for selling illegal fireworks. – Rappler.com
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