ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT-EmergencyNet NEWS Service-Thursday, January 1, 1998 New Year's Day Vol. 2 - 001
PEOPLE KILLED AND INJURED IN
PHILIPPINE
NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS
By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Asia and Pacific Desk
MANILA (EmergencyNet News) - At least three people were killed and 350 others were injured in New Year celebrations in the Philippines, health and police officials said on Thursday. Filipinos traditionally set off firecrackers or fire their guns at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve to ward off evil spirits and bad luck.
In Manila a woman was killed by a stray bullet, a man was stabbed to death in a brawl, and another was struck and killed by a speeding car.
Manila police stations reported 245 incidents involving firecracker blasts, shootings and stabbings since Wednesday evening. Health Secretary Carmencita Reodica said the number could rise with more reports coming in from the provinces.
The youngest victim was a two-year old boy who was in critical condition after being hit in the stomach by a firecracker, Reodica said, adding 12 people had required limbs to be amputated. In central Negros province, a 21-year old lost his right eye after a firecracker blew up in his face as he was lighting his cigarette.
A total of 12 people, including a three-year old boy, had been hit by stray bullets, Reodica said. The government has campaigned relentlessly against the use of substandard firecrackers, most of which are made by illegal manufacturers. Twenty-three victims of stray bullets have been recorded since December 21. Three of them have since died.
Police have issued stern warnings police and soldiers not to fire their guns. A complete inventory of ammunition held by every policeman in Manila was recorded before December 31.
At Manila airport, several international flights were delayed on Wednesday night after pyrotechnics were thrown near the runway in thick smog. Some departing flights had to be delayed for about two hours. Fourteen fire incidents were also been reported around the city, but no one was injured. A church in central city of Tacloban was destroyed by fire after firecrackers were set off inside.
(c) Copyright, EmergencyNet NEWS Service, 1998. All Rights Reserved. Redistribution without permission is prohibited by law.
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