MANILA, Philippines – Health officials said that firecrackers and
gunfires during the recent New Year festivities in the Philippines left 354
people injured and with more than a dozen requiring amputations including a
five-year-old boy.
The annual surge
of injuries during New Year celebrations dropped to the lowest in five years,
with 351 people hurt by fireworks and three hit by stray bullets in the last
few days of 2014, said Health Secretary Janette Garin.
However, the
number of people who had to undergo amputations rose to 14 from eight last
year, she said, adding that a five-year-old boy lost his hand.
Garin said
the health department's campaign against indiscriminate fireworks and the
passage of tropical storm Seniang (Jiangmi), which brought heavy rains to
Visayas and Mindanao, had brought down the injury toll.
She said the
department would continue to monitor hospitals for more injuries or deaths that
might be reported later.
Authorities
have repeatedly warned against the custom of welcoming the New Year with
indiscriminate fireworks and celebratory gunfire, which result in numerous
injuries and fatalities every year.
In the
previous year's celebrations, at least two people were killed and 793 others
were left injured.
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