PIA Press Release
Tuesday, January 03, 2012 Fireworks kill 1, injure 64 in Cagayan Valley regionby Oliver T. Baccay and Thelma C. BicarmeTUGUEGARAO CITY, Jan 3 (PIA) –- Based on the latest report of the Department of Health (DOH) region 2, victims of firecracker-related injuries in Cagayan Valley region have already reached 59. Five victims of stray bullets were also recorded. Information officer Alan Sibal said Cagayan province posted the highest number of victims with 34, followed by Nueva Vizcaya-13, Isabela-12, Quirino-5, while Batanes had none. Sibal also reported that one resident of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya died due to ‘Goodbye Philippines’ firecracker. Based on the DOH gathered reports, most of the victims were children aged 6-10 years old males. As to type of injuries, Sibal said, there are those who had to undergo amputation. Some were injured in the eyes due to piccolo and whistle bomb and others were hit by stray bullets. Sibal added that most of the injuries were caused by piccolo, 5 star, luces, whistle bomb, kwitis, watusi, fountain and shining star. To date, the number of firecracker-related injuries is lower by almost 50 percent but Sibal said they have yet to consolidate reports up to January 5 to know whether there is an increase or decrease in the incidents of firecracker and stray bullet for this year. (TCB/OTB/PIA-2) | 
