Teenager loses fingers to P15 'King Kong' firecracker

A cheap firecracker proved to be a "costly" mistake for a 14-year-old boy. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo said the boy from Obando, Bulacan, who was not named in the report, lost two fingers on his left hand after mishandling a P15 "King Kong" firecracker on Wednesday.
According to the radio report, the boy, who was brought to a government hospital in Manila, may also need surgery on his right hand. The report quoted doctors at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRMMC) as saying they are trying to treat burns in the right hand. The investigation showed that the boy was lighting the "King Kong" firecracker when it exploded and injured his hands. Meanwhile, JRMMC doctors said a 29-year-old became the latest victim of stray bullets. The victim was not immediately identified. The government has been discouraging revelers from using fireworks to welcome the New Year, citing its danger to the environment and to the people's health and safety. – VVP, GMANews.TV