Fireworks injuries now at 52; five suffer amputations

INJURIES resulting from firecracker use during the holiday season rose to 52 on Tuesday, including five people who suffered amputations, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

Twenty-four new cases were recorded between 6 a.m. of December 25 and 5:59 a.m. of December 26, with victims’ ages ranging from five to 52. 

Twenty-two incidents occurred at home or on nearby streets, and 16 of the fireworks used were illegal. 

The five victims (composed of three minors and two adults, all male) who had amputations lost or had their hands and fingers disfigured.

”Losing a finger, hand, or arm is painful, expensive, and traumatic,” the DOH said. 

Of the 52 cases, six out of every ten were contributed by the National Capital Region (20, 38%), Region III (6, 12%), and Region XII (5, 10%).