DOH reports 68 more fireworks-related injuries, total now at 153

The Philippines recorded 68 additional firecracker-related injuries, bringing the total to 153, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Sunday.

As of 6 a.m. on January 2, 2022, the DOH said the total number of firecracker-related injuries was 32% higher than 2020's 116 cases during the same period.

Also, the DOH said of the 153 cases, 39% or 60 were from Metro Manila, 22 each from Region I and VI, 12 from Region 3, six each from Regions V, VII, and BARMM, five each from Region II and Calabarzon, four from Region XII, three from CAR, and one each from Regions IX and XI.

Of the 153 cases, 113 or 74% were males. 

In addition, 15 cases were blast or burn injuries requiring amputation, 102 cases require no amputation, and 39 cases were eye injuries.

A total of 70 out of the 153 cases involved active users, the DOH also said.

The top five firecracker types involved were kwitis which had 35 cases, boga with 15 cases, luces with 12 cases, triangle with 10 cases while 24 cases involved unknown fireworks.

It is also indicated that boga and triangle are prohibited types of firecrackers.

All incidents were people who were wounded by fireworks but there were no reports of firework ingestions and stray bullet injuries. —LBG, GMA News