Nineteen uniformed personnel and 11 civilians sustained injuries after a massive fireworks explosion incident in Barangay Cabatangan, Zamboanga City, on Monday, July 8.
According to the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ZCDRRMO), the 19 uniformed injured men are composed of six personnel from the PNP Regional Explosives and Canine Unit, three from the Philippine Coast Guard, five from the Bureau of Fire Protection, and five from the Philippine Marines.
"As of 7:56pm, the CDRRMO said 2 patients undergoing medical attention are tagged red or are in life threatening situation," ZCDRRMO said in a statement.
"As this developed, Mayor John Dalipe has called for a thorough investigation on the incident and tasked the City Social Welfare and Development Office to look into the medical needs of those injured as well as families whose properties were damaged due to the explosion," it added.
The explosion occurred following the removal of the last set of unexploded fireworks from the site of the Tetuan blast on June 29, which left five people dead and 30 injured.
ZCDRRMO said the fireworks were completely submerged in water before being transported to Cabatangan for safe disposal. But instead of being a controlled detonation, a massive explosion occurred.
The blast damaged houses and government vehicles and shattered windows as far as Zamboanga City's Gov. Camins Avenue.
Authorities are now conducting an in-depth investigation over the incident.
Malalimang imbestigasyon, ipinag-utos matapos ang pagsabog sa Zamboanga City na ikinasugat ng 19 | RH 52 @ednielparrosa, DZRH News#MagandangUmagaPilipinas#SamaSamaTayoPilipino https://t.co/Y7WuuHsZ32 pic.twitter.com/771TGwolKJ
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) July 8, 2024
