A fireworks explosion marred the culmination of the 29th Charter Day celebration and first Kabuganaan Festival in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Sunday night, August 2. (Screengrab via Responder 2.0 FB)
BACOLOD CITY – Eleven persons were injured in a fireworks explosion during the culmination of the 29th Charter Day celebration and first Kabuganaan Festival in Barangay 4, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Sunday night, Aug. 2.
The victims were a 17-year-old student, an Army reservist, government employee, event production staff, sound operators, office staff, teacher, and production manager.
Fire Officer 3 Alfie Gravela, officer-in-charge and chief arson investigator of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Kabankalan, said that fireworks allegedly malfunctioned and prematurely exploded on the ground instead of being launched into the air during a fireworks display manned by fireworks operators.
Shrapnel and debris struck several spectators and event personnel.
Police secured the area to prevent further casualties and emergency medical responders and other concerned agencies rendered assistance and transported the injured to the hospital.
Gravela said that all victims were treated and discharged from the hospital.
The BFP-Kabankalan and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit are investigating to determine the exact cause of the explosion and establish if negligence or violations of existing laws, rules, and regulations on the use of pyrotechnic devices contributed to the incident.
Kabankalan celebrated Charter Day with the theme "Kabuganaan sang Kabankalan, Kadalag-an Para sa Tanan” to highlight another milestone in the city's journey to growth and progress.