MANILA, Philippines - The number of firecracker-related injuries has ballooned to 162, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday.
Based on the its Action Paputok Injury Reduction update, the DOH said that there were 160 firecracker injuries while two cases involved persons who ingested firecrackers.
The DOH has yet to report any deaths due to firecracker blasts and stray bullets.
The state agency said that the number is still 67 cases or 29 percent lower than the firecracker-related injuries recorded by the department from 2009 up to 2013.
The figure is also 113 cases or 41 percent lower than the firecracker-related injuries recorded in 2013, the DOH said.
Of the 160 injured, 138, or 86 percent, are men with ranging between three to 68 years old while 56 cases, or , 35 percent are children mostly 10 year olds.
The DOH said that 71 firecracker victims, or 41 percent, come from the National Capital Region, most of whom come from the City of Manila with 27 cases.
Six of the victims lost their fingers while 31 sustained eye injuries due to firecracker blasts, the DOH said.
Over 100 victims were injured from the blast of the firecracker called piccolo, the DOH added.