Eleven people, including a 17-year-old student, sustained minor injuries after aerial fireworks malfunctioned during the Kabuganaan Festival in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday night, Aug. 2.
Kabankalan police chief, Lt. Col. Gary Alan Resuma, said all the victims received medical treatment and were later discharged from the hospital.
The incident happened at around 9:30 p.m. at the football field in Brgy. 4 during the festival’s fireworks display.
Initial investigation showed that aerial fireworks operated by Peacock Fireworks failed to launch properly and fell into an area where spectators and event personnel were gathered.
The device prematurely exploded on the ground, sending shrapnel and debris toward the crowd.
The injured included a reservist, city and office personnel, event production workers, audio system staff, a teacher and the minor.
They were brought to the Holy Mother of Mercy Hospital for treatment, but none required admission, Resuma said.
Police officers assigned to the event immediately secured the area, while emergency responders assisted the injured and transported them to the hospital.
Resuma said the fireworks operator covered the victims’ medical expenses following discussions with the injured individuals and festival organizers.
The Bureau of Fire Protection and the police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit are investigating the malfunction and determining whether negligence or violations of pyrotechnics regulations contributed to the incident.
The fireworks display was held at the end of the program, and the incident did not cause any interruption or delay in the festival activities, police said.
Resuma added that the Kabuganaan Festival was generally peaceful, with no other incidents connected to the celebration recorded by police.*
[sibwp_form id=1]