2 Killed, 600 Injured By Fireworks And Gunfire Toll Expected To Rise

[Old55]

MANILA — At least two people were killed and nearly 600 others injured by fireworks and gunfire in New Year celebrations in the Philippines, officials said yesterday.

About 50 hospitals nationwide reported 599 injured from Dec 21 to Jan 1, a 43 per cent jump from the same period last year, said Department of Health spokesman Dr Eric Tayag.

 

In northern Cagayan province, a fireworks fountain display packed with firecrackers exploded and killed a 19-year-old man, while an infant boy was killed by a bullet that went through the roof of the family’s house in northern Ilocos Sur province.

Doctors in nearby Ilocos Norte province said another boy is fighting for his life after he was hit in the forehead by a bullet that is still lodged in his head.

The deaths and injuries come at the end of a year when several disasters hit the Philippines, including the Nov 8 Typhoon Haiyan, locally called Yolanda, that left more than 6,100 dead and nearly 1,800 others missing.

“Many here are welcoming the new year after losing their mothers, fathers, siblings and children so you can imagine how it feels,” said village chief Maria Rosario Bactol of Anibong community in Tacloban, the city worst hit by Typhoon Haiyan.

Dr Tayag said he expects the number of injuries to rise as the Health Department continued its count.

Many Filipinos, largely influenced by Chinese tradition, believe that raucous New Year celebrations drive away evil and misfortune, and set off huge firecrackers and fire guns despite the danger and threats of arrest. There was even a type of firecracker sold on the illegal market as Super Yolanda, named after the killer typhoon.

The government has issued repeated warnings against the use of firecrackers in greeting the New Year, with Health Secretary Enrique Ona urging lawmakers to consider banning them.

“We have to seriously consider and discuss in Congress a total ban because more and more people are getting injured,” Mr Ona told the Philippine Star.

Last year, 931 people were injured from fireworks and stray bullets, leading the police to step up its efforts to clamp down on the indiscriminate firing of guns and selling of banned firecrackers.

In the capital Manila, police teams were deployed to go after those who use their guns to welcome the New Year.

 

Last year, a seven-year-old, Stephanie Nicole Ella, was killed by a stray bullet while watching fireworks in Caloocan City. The case is still unsolved. AGENCIES

 

 

 

 

http://www.todayonline.com/2-killed-600-injured-philippines-new-year-celebrations

[Dave Hounddriver]

We have to seriously consider and discuss in Congress a total ban

 

I watched an expat friend setting off fireworks on New Years Eve.  His wife had shopped for the cheap ones.  I was shocked at how many of them misfired.  Fireworks that were supposed to be rockets were exploding on the ground like dynamite.  Seriously, the neighbors car alarm was set off twice by the concussion.  So rather than a total ban it would be wise to implement quality regulations on fireworks manufacture.  Let the fines be big enough so the fireworks manufacturers pay for the medical expenses of the vicitms.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I bought a bunch of fireworks and was almost shocked at the horrid quality control. (well here in the PI's I come to expect no quality control... so no, not really shocked)   A lot of duds.  But of the ones that fired I was surprised at how inconsistent they were.  The string of triangle fireworks with one fuse - some were regular pops, some were deafeningly loud.  My 3" mortars all popped but only shot about 15 feet into the air before they blew.  Granted, they looked cool, but that cannot be safe. 

 

But I am also smart enough never to light this crap in my hands.  I have never lit and thrown fireworks.  I don't hold Roman candles either. 

 

But a full ban would be the normal over reaction that we get in most countries nowadays....    :tiphat:

[Call me bubba]

seems that others was injured at a named event. at least the sponser provided medical care to those that was hurt

 

http://manilatimes.net/23-hurt-in-mall-new-year-fireworks-accident/64534/

 

AT least 23 people were hurt when a fireworks display went haywire and exploded in the midst of spectators at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on New Year’s eve

Pasay Police Chief Senior Supt. Florencio Ortilla said the most serious injuries

were suffered by Marlyn Tiangha, 48, from Valenzuela City, who was treated for first-degree burns.

Police said that at around 11 p.m. Tuesday, people started flocking to the giant mall’s ground rides area beside the Manila Bay for a closer look at the pyrotechnics display.

 

When the fireworks were lighted,

instead of going upward,

they zoomed towards the crowd,

hitting some of the revelers.

Most of the victims had bruised hands and feet from the incident.

Ortilla said the Mall of Asia management paid for the medical expenses of those who needed to be treated in the hospital.

[Gerald Glatt]

I usually leave the fire works to the pros.

went one year and the ambulance came for the people who set up the display

guess even pros make mistakes.

 

 

Had a friend who lit firecrackers and held them to watch them explode

Other friends got him M80s

 

A person shots a weapon into the air,  well, I just hope he likes duck

that'a what  I'll be doing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banning fire works would be bad for the gene pool.

[johnb]

There are many firework makers in mactan using children as slave labour, the kids are around gun powder all day, fingers and faces are black, no wonder the fireworks are not uniform in construction or ignition, better to not buy any, one for your own and others health and two too stop the child labour in this paticular mode of dangerous work.

 

Johnb

Edited January 3, 2014 by johnb

[paulus]

2 killed, 600 injured in a nation of how many million, I would have thought that was not a bad score. Especially given the quality control imposed on these products.

 

Ban fireworks?  Great!  They go underground, more child labour. Who is grafting the worshipful mayor?  Control by barangay captain? Strewth, my captain had the biggest fireworks party in this barangay. I would reckon the invitations were sent to her supporters at the recent election. But the idea is good for graft. She would never lose an election ever again.

 

But there are more killed here in my city alone as a result of national and local elections. Which election should we ban first?  Local or National?

 

Ah well, bahala na.

[jpbago]

There are many firework makers in mactan using children as slave labour, the kids are around gun powder all day, fingers and faces are black, no wonder the fireworks are not uniform in construction or ignition, better to not buy any, one for your own and others health and two too stop the child labour in this paticular mode of dangerous work.

 

Johnb

 

Now this is where the American human rights news teams should go instead of the girlie bars in Angeles.