Two die after swallowing firecrackersFrom correspondents in Manila
January 01, 2006
TWO people were killed and 610 injured by firecrackers and guns in rowdy Philippine New Year celebrations, the health department said today.
The two fatalities were both mentally disturbed adult males who swallowed firecrackers, it said.
Of the total injuries, 33 were wounded by stray bullets despite an earlier crackdown on indiscriminate firing ordered by President Gloria Arroyo.
The rest suffered burns from setting off powerful firecrackers.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the number of fatalities was considerably lower this year, adding that the Government's campaign began as early as December to limit the number of injuries.
"It cannot be said that it is a failure. I think it's not that bad," Mr Duque said.
Last year, eight people were killed and 251 injured in celebrations.
Up to 5500 people were left homeless when a fallen candle started a massive fire that razed a slum area called 'Happyland' in Manila just before New Year's Eve.
Doctor Eric Tayag, chief of the health department taskforce on firecrackers, said the injured ranged from a 10-month-old boy who got hit in the eye by a wayward firecracker to an 88-year-old grandfather.
Most of the injuries were in areas around metropolitan Manila, he said.
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