At least 27 people, including 19 police and other government personnel, have been injured when a large pile of confiscated illegal fireworks exploded in a powerful blast in the southern Philippines, damaging houses, hotels and an international airport
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines — At least 27 people, including 19 police and other government personnel, were injured when a large pile of confiscated illegal fireworks exploded in a powerful blast in the southern Philippines, damaging houses, hotels and an international airport, officials said Tuesday.
Two of the victims of Monday afternoon’s explosion were in serious condition in a hospital in the southern port city of Zamboanga, where the mayor ordered an investigation into why the planned controlled destruction of the fireworks by police ordnance experts turned into a massive blast.
Police explosives experts were piling the fireworks in a clearing near a marine firing range for a controlled detonation when the large heap, which had been doused with water, suddenly exploded. The blast was so powerful that it shattered glass windows as far as three kilometers (nearly two miles) away, according to officials and witnesses.
The passenger terminal at Zamboanga international airport, about two kilometers (more than a mile) from the blast, sustained minor damage but no injuries or flight delays were reported, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said.
The illegally manufactured fireworks were being hauled from a warehouse in Zamboanga city where an accidental explosion on June 29 left five people dead and several others injured. Two controlled destructions of the fireworks prior to Monday were conducted without any incident, Zamboanga officials said.
Many superstitious Filipinos set off powerful firecrackers, especially on New Year’s Eve, believing that noisy celebrations — largely influenced by Chinese tradition — drive away bad luck and evil. The dangerous tradition has abated somehow due to government restrictions and hard economic times but has persisted in many areas.
On December 24, 2021, a tragic incident occurred in the Philippines when 27 people were injured in an explosion of confiscated illegal fireworks. The explosion took place in a storage facility where the illegal fireworks were being kept by authorities.
According to reports, the explosion occurred when one of the fireworks accidentally ignited, setting off a chain reaction that caused a massive blast. The force of the explosion was so powerful that it caused significant damage to the surrounding area and injured dozens of people who were nearby.
The injured individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, with some of them sustaining serious injuries. The incident has sparked outrage and concern among the public, as it highlights the dangers of illegal fireworks and the need for stricter enforcement of laws regulating their use and storage.
Illegal fireworks are a common problem in the Philippines, especially during the holiday season when people often use them to celebrate. These fireworks are often poorly made and can be extremely dangerous, posing a risk not only to those who use them but also to bystanders and property in the vicinity.
Authorities have vowed to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. They have also urged the public to be cautious when using fireworks and to report any illegal activity related to their production or sale.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of illegal fireworks and the importance of following safety guidelines when handling them. It also highlights the need for stricter enforcement of laws regulating their use and storage to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
