The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed another death due to firecracker use on Friday, Jan. 3, as the number of injuries surged to over 700.
Data from its sentinel sites revealed that the latest number of injuries is now 704, which is 16.9 percent higher compared to the figures reported on the same day last year (602).
The latest firecracker-related death recorded by DOH involved a 44-year-old male who sustained head wounds after using a “triangle.”
Of the 704 cases, DOH noted that 583 were male and 121 were female.
DOH data also showed that 412 of the victims were aged 19 and below, while the remaining 292 cases involved individuals aged 20 and above.
“Kwitis,” DOH said, remained the leading cause of injuries, followed by Boga, 5-star, whistle bomb, and several lesser-known firecrackers.
The latest data indicated that 54 cases were added on Jan. 1, another 112 cases on Dec. 31, and four more in the preceding days.
While the number of cases recorded this year is lower compared to 2024, the DOH acknowledged the possibility of late reporting for some cases.
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