The first death linked to illegal firecrackers was recorded Sunday evening after a teenager was killed by a “big triangle” firecracker in Tondo, Manila.
According to reports, the 12-year-old boy, along with a companion of the same age, lit the firecracker, which exploded in their hands along A. Lorenzo Street near the corner of Jose Abad Santos Avenue.
CCTV footage of the explosion has since circulated across various social media platforms.
The Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) announced that the Manila local government will extend assistance to the deceased’s family, including burial expenses, while also providing support to the hospitalized child until full recovery.
The MDSW reiterated its call for the youth to refrain from using firecrackers, especially illegal ones, and urged the public to opt for safer alternatives in welcoming the New Year.