11 hurt by firecrackers in typhoon-hit Eastern Visayas

MANILA, Philippines - Some residents in Eastern Visayas still welcomed the New Year with firecrackers while millions in the region are still reeling from the devastation brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda last year.

The Department of Health (DOH) said 11 firecracker injuries were recorded in Eastern Visayas, which had the lowest number among the regions that had New Year revelry injuries so far.

According to the agency, Metro Manila had 345 of the 599 injuries, followed by the Calabarzon and Ilocos regions with 50 and 35, respectively.

The DOH did not specify the provinces in Eastern Visayas where the injuries were recorded.

"Many here are welcoming the new year after losing their mothers, fathers, siblings and children so you can imagine how it feels," said village chief Maria Rosario Bactol of Anibong community in Tacloban, the city in Leyte province worst hit by the monster typhoon.

Yolanda barreled through the central Philippines in November 2013 and wrought havoc in Eastern Visayas.

The typhoon, which was among the most powerful ever recorded, left more than 6,100 people dead and nearly 1,800 others missing.

Twelve million people were affected by the disaster and thousands became homeless after Yolanda spawned meters of storm surges that leveled communities.

An illegal firecracker was named after the super typhoon and injured a teenager in Cebu province who lost his entire hand. -with the Associated Press

Read: Boy loses right hand due to 'Super Yolanda' firecracker