Zamboanga fireworks display goes awry; 6 injured

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A fireworks spectacle went awry when a misfired firecracker hit and seriously injured six people, including three children, during a pre-fiesta revelry in a coastal village in this city Wednesday night, authorities said.

Police identified the victims as Realyn Cruz, 23, and her one-year-old daughter Rhian Claire; Janet Tenepre and her six-year-old son John Ray; and Roldan Arellano and her seven-year-old son Irish.

The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment of lacerations, severe burns, cuts, and bruises.

Attending physicians said three of the victims were in serious condition. 

The young Tenepre suffered a head injury, the flesh on Arellano’s left arm was almost peeled off, and the elder Cruz suffered severe injuries on her face and back.

Police said the incident occurred when the fireworks were set off at around 9 p.m. Wednesday in the middle of the “Fonda,” a pre-fiesta nightly festivity in Barangay Ayala which hundreds of revelers witnessed.

Police said a “kwiton,” which is five times bigger than a “kwitis,” misfired and directly hit the victims.

“The explosion was so loud and the place was enveloped by smoke. We shouted for help as we were hit but we were barely heard because the music was loud and the people panicked for safety,” said Cruz’s grandmother Isabel.

Elbert Atilano, one of the sponsors, said in a radio interview that everything went right until the freak accident happened. 

He said Mayor Celso Lobregat immediately called for an investigation and that the city government provided assistance to the victims.