An elderly man’s life was claimed by injuries sustained from a firecracker accident, the health department reported on Saturday.
“78-year-old male po si Lolo na pasyente, active involvement po—nagsindi ng Judas Belt. Na-ospital noong December 22, binawian ng buhay December 27. Taga Central Luzon po," Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Dr. Albert Domingo said.
(The patient is a 78-year-old male, who had active involvement in the accident—he lit a Judas Belt firecracker. He was hospitalized on December 22, and passed away on December 27. He’s from Central Luzon.)
The firecracker had exploded on him, damaging an eye and thigh.
“Namatay siya sa kanyang injuries at mayroon na din complications. ‘Yung immediate cause of death is infection,” Domingo continued.
(He died of his injuries, as well as other complications. The immediate cause of death is infection.)
The victim’s wife said he was sorting out old firecracker supplies and laying down gunpowder prior to the accident.
This is the first firecracker-related death logged just before the New Year, according to the DOH—although in a report on Rapido Hataw Balita, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) have said there have been five casualties already.
As of December 28, DOH records indicate that there have been 125 cases of firecracker-related injuries this year, higher by 29 percent than the 95 cases from the previous year.
