MANILA, Philippines — The festive season has left a sobering trail of injuries across the Philippines. The Department of Health (DOH) announced Saturday that 655 people were injured by fireworks during the 2025-2026 holiday monitoring period—and more than half of those victims were children.
While the total number of firework-related injuries is actually 20 percent lower than last year, the severity of the cases remains a major concern for health officials.
The Heavy Cost Of ‘Kwitis’ And Illegal Blasts
Of the 655 recorded cases, a staggering 351 were minors aged 16 and below. The reality for many of these young victims is life-altering:
- Amputations: At least 19 victims had to have hands or fingers amputated; 11 of those victims were minors.
- The Culprits: Most injuries were caused by “unidentified” fireworks, but the popular kwitis (mini skyrockets) and the powerful five-star firecrackers were the leading known causes.
- The Tetanus Threat: The DOH is issuing an urgent plea for all victims—even those with minor blast wounds—to get tetanus shots. Because firework debris carries dirt and bacteria, the risk of infection is high, with symptoms often appearing within 3 to 21 days.
A Dangerous Rise On The Roads
While firework injuries saw a slight dip, the same cannot be said for the country’s roads. The DOH reported a massive 82 percent spike in road crash injuries compared to the previous year.
The data reveals a disturbing trend among the youth:
- 1,113 total road crash injuries were logged.
- 508 victims were between the ages of 15 and 29.
- Safety Neglect: A whopping 86 percent (965 victims) were not wearing helmets or seatbelts at the time of the crash.
- Fatalities: Of the seven deaths recorded, four were young adults between 16 and 26.
Health Crisis Beyond The Streets
The holiday stress and indulgence also took a toll on internal health. The DOH recorded 349 cases of non-communicable diseases, a 9 percent increase from the 2024 season.
The breakdown of these medical emergencies included:
- 205 cases of acute stroke.
- 95 cases of acute coronary syndrome (heart-related emergencies).
- 49 cases of bronchial asthma.
As the monitoring period concludes, health officials are urging the public to prioritize recovery and safety as the new year begins.
