By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

At least three people were hospitalized on Christmas Eve following separate firecracker-related incidents across Negros Occidental.

Police refused to name the victims, but specified two were nine years old and one was 17.

Based on a radio report, the 17-year-old victim was from Barangay Bacong, Bago City and sustained wounds to the left hand after reportedly lighting a firecracker called ‘Kamara.’

According to the victim, they were supposed to throw the firecracker after lighting it but it “suddenly exploded.”

The victim was immediately rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, the hands of a nine-year-old from Murcia were left swollen after the triangle they were holding exploded.

The victim’s mother, said the minor was playing in the town’s public plaza when she saw the child holding the said firecracker.

The other nine-year old suffered burns to the left shoulder after, according to the child’s parents, after the child poured out the contents of a triangle, which burst into flames.

The minor was also rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile in Bacolod City, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office cluster head, Executive Assistant Joemarie Vargas, said they did not record any firecracker-related injuries during Christmas Eve celebrations.

He added, they did observe any individuals using firecrackers during the observance and he hopes it continues until New Year’s Day celebrations.

Last year, a total of 37 firecracker-related injuries were recorded from December 21, 2017 to January 2, 2018 in the province, including Bacolod City./DGB, WDJ