Fireworks-related injuries at 235

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded over 200 fireworks-related injuries (FWRI), a day after the New Year’s Eve revelry.

The DOH said 62 additional cases brought the total number of FWRI cases to 235, as recorded by 62 sentinel hospitals from Dec. 21, 2025 to early morning of Jan. 1, 2026.

The number is 42 percent lower than the 403 total cases posted during the same period last year.

A majority of the victims were 19 years old and below (69 percent) while the rest of the cases (31 percent) are aged 20 and above. The top causes of injuries were unidentified type of fireworks, boga and five-star.

The DOH said that they expect for FWRI cases to go up until Jan. 5 since their surveillance of cases is ongoing and there are still those who haven’t been taken to hospitals for treatment.

“Even as we see today a lower than last year count for fireworks related injuries, the DOH anticipates that late reports will come in from today Jan. 1 all the way to Jan. 5. We hope the lower count will stay,” DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said.

The agency also reminded those injured due to fireworks to wash the affected surface with clean, running water and proceed to the nearest hospital or health center and ask for tetanus shots.

No deaths

For its part, the Philippine National Police reported yesterday that there were no deaths related to the New Year revelry, although there were injuries from stray bullets based on reports from police units on the ground.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. attributed the peaceful outcome of the celebrations on the deployment of around 67,254 police officers in transportation hubs and major thoroughfares.

However, stray bullets remain a problem during the New Year revelries.

Nartatez said one person was injured from a stray bullet in Bulacan. The victim and his friends were having a drinking session under a mango tree when a bullet hit him on the shoulder.

Data from the PNP showed there were two stray bullet incidents in Bulacan, one in San Jose del Monte City and one in Baliuag. A 32-year-old man from Cainta, Rizal was hit by a bullet on Wednesday at around 10:05 p.m.

There was no stray bullet incident during the New Year revelry in Metro Manila, National Capital Region Police Office spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said in a message on Viber. There were eight stray bullet cases since Dec. 16.

There were four cases of indiscriminate firing of firearms during the New Year revelry, one of which happened in Barangay 426 in Tondo, Manila yesterday at around 1:33 a.m.

There were two suspects whom police identified as Rommel Roy Dogiles and Lourdino Tupas Jr., who were caught firing a .45 caliber handgun. They are facing cases for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.

Another incident happened in Barangay Sagpat in Kibungan, Benguet yesterday at around 12:05 a.m. The perpetrator, Pedral Dolinas, was arrested.

In Sinait, Ilocos Sur, suspect Charlie Ibea was arrested after he indiscriminately fired a .45 caliber handgun in Barangay Namnama yesterday at around 2:15 a.m.

Meanwhile, police are looking for Rhonald Mercardo after he used a 9mm caliber handgun in celebrating the New Year in Barangay Culing West in Cabatuan, Isabela on Wednesday at around 2:50 a.m.

There were 15 cases of indiscriminate firing of gun since Dec. 16. Three police officers were involved in three incidents.

Injuries

In Antipolo, 11 people were injured after a fire razed firecracker stalls in Barangay Dela Paz during the New Year revelry at around 12 a.m.

People were watching a fireworks display when the stalls suddenly caught fire. As firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices exploded, the bystanders fled in panic, causing injury. None of the victims were in serious condition and were discharged from hospital after receiving medical treatment.

In Caloocan, 28 people were injured by firecrackers during the New Year celebrations, including two victims who lost fingers due to blasts, authorities said.

In neighboring Malabon, the Ospital ng Malabon recorded four firecracker-related injuries and one case of a stray bullet hit from Dec. 25 to 29, according to city data.

Meanwhile, Pasig City recorded 14 firecracker-related injuries during the New Year celebration. Pasig police chief Col. Hendrix Mangaldan said the victims sustained only minor injuries, adding that he considered the festivities ushering in 2026 generally peaceful despite the incidents.

In Manila, 122 were rushed to hospitals for firecracker-related injuries, while five others were nabbed for discharging their firearms as the city welcomed the New Year.

Firecracker-related injuries in the city’s seven district hospitals reached 102 at 3:45 a.m. on New Year’s Day, and rose further to 122 at 2 p.m., according to the tally from the Manila Health Department.

Meanwhile, the Manila Police District reported eight persons – five from Tondo and the remaining three from Sampaloc – were arrested for firing their guns from Dec. 1, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2026.

The three latest apprehensions were from Sampaloc and Tondo, the police noted.

Fires caused by firecrackers down 30%

Fires caused by firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices went down by over 30 percent in 2025, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said yesterday.

The BFP documented 27 fires as a result of firecrackers in 2025, which is lower when compared to 39 incidents in 2024, a decrease of 30.76 percent.

BFP spokesman Supt. Anthony Arroyo attributed the decline in firecracker-related fires to the public’s awareness about alternative means in celebrating the New Year.

The BFP recorded 48 fires in the country during the New Year celebration, with 17 in Metro Manila. Among these are incidents not caused by firecrackers.

The BFP will downgrade their full alert status today. –  Emmanuel Tupas, Mark Ernest Villeza, Ed Amoroso, Gilbert Bayoran, Ghio Ong