By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday (January 4, 2025) confirmed the first recorded case of a stray bullet injury on New Year’s Eve.
According to the DOH report, a 19-year-old male from Davao del Norte tragically died after being struck by a stray bullet while celebrating outside his home.
The total number of fatalities related to firecracker and stray bullet incidents has now reached three.
Latest DOH data shows that firecracker-related injuries from December 22, 2024, to January 4, 2025, have risen to 771—an increase of 27.6 percent compared to the same period last year.
The DOH once again reminded the public to refrain from using fireworks, particularly cautioning against minors handling them, as they accounted for 453 cases—the majority of victims.
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