One more firecracker-related death; injuries top 700 - DOH

Metro Manila, Philippines - A 44-year-old man was the second firecracker-related death during the New Year revelry as the number of injuries topped 700, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Friday, Jan. 3.

The DOH said the man died from head injuries after he lit a triangle-shaped firecracker. The first casualty was a 78-year-old male in Central Luzon from ‘Judas Belt’ explosions.

The agency recorded 170 more firecracker-related injuries, bringing the tally to 704 from reports of 62 hospitals that are part of the surveillance system. The number was 16.9% higher year-on-year.

Health officials said ‘kwitis’ or skyrocket was the leading cause of injury. Most of the victims were male, 19 years old and below.

Road traffic incidents

Meanwhile, the DOH reported another road traffic death during the holiday season for a total of seven cases. Four were killed in motorcycle crashes.

As of 6 a.m. on Jan. 3, it recorded 606 road incidents, including 29 new cases mostly for failing to use safety accessories.

At least 7 in 10 cases were motorcycle riders.

Nearly a fifth involved driving under the influence of alcohol.