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Fireworks light up the streets of Delpan, Tondo, Manila during the new year celebration on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022.
The Philippine STAR / Russell Palma
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) said the number of fireworks-related injuries could rise by over 300 more cases in the coming days due to late reports.
In a message to reporters on Friday, January 2, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said the 300 new cases are in addition to the 235 reported on New Year’s Day.
The department’s epidemiology bureau is still compiling reports from the 62 sentinel hospitals it monitors. Domingo said an updated and validated tally is expected to be released by January 3.
“Tumataas pa ho ang bilang dahil sa mga late reports. Kung gaano kataas ito kumpara sa nakaraang taon, malalaman po natin kapag pumasok na ang validated na mga numero,” he added.
(The numbers are still rising due to late reports. We will know how this compares to last year once the validated figures are in.)
According to the last report, the number of individuals who sustained fireworks-related injuries during the 2025 festivities is roughly 42% lower than in 2024.
Children at risk. Nearly seven in 10 victims were children and teenagers aged 19 and below. The remaining 31% were adults 20 years old or older.
Some of these injuries were linked to firecracker stalls catching fire during New Year’s celebrations. In Antipolo, 11 people were reportedly injured when a stall caught fire and pyrotechnic devices exploded.
Monitoring. Local government units also conducted their own monitoring during the New Year celebrations, reporting cases of people losing fingers to fireworks, injuries from stray bullets, and arrests for discharging firearms — many of which occurred in Manila.
While the DOH and the Philippine National Police continue to document injuries, indiscriminate firing and other holiday-related cases, no deaths have yet been reported in connection with New Year celebrations.
Although more fireworks-related injuries are likely to be reported, the DOH hopes the overall count stays below last year’s.
Domingo urged those who may have been grazed by any firework blast to seek immediate consultation at the nearest hospital to avoid the possibility of developing tetanus. Concerned individuals may avail of free tetanus vaccines from government hospitals, he added.
Most of the injuries, according to DOH, were caused by undetermined firecrackers or those patients were unaware of, followed by “boga” and “5-star.”
