A 44-year man from the Ilocos Region previously listed as injured from firecrackers has died, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
The DOH also logged four more victims of stray bullets and 11 additional cases of fireworks related injuries (FWRI).
“Each and every life affected by fireworks and stray bullets is a reason to change the way we celebrate,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa stressed.
The report reaching the DOH showed that the fatality who was drinking alcohol lit a cigarette which in turn ignited a nearby stack of fireworks, resulting in a big explosion.
It was the first death incident reported by the DOH linked to firecrackers during the holiday celebrations.
Among the latest reports on stray bullet incidents was a 28 years old woman in the CALABARZON who sustained a gunshot wound on her right arm while watching fireworks outside their home.
The second stray bullet victim was a 22-year old woman who was hit near her left ear, allegedly from a gun fired by a neighbour, while the third was her 26-year old brother who was hit in the upper right back.
The fourth was a 22-year old man from Northern Mindanao, who sustained a bullet wound in his right arm while celebrating with his family.
Herbosa said the DOH has recorded 600 injuries, 592 of them due to fireworks, one due to watusi ingestion and seven due to stray bullets.
Two have died, while 53 are currently in hospital for treatment.