Colombia’s constitutional court signs off on Petro’s peace...
How Colombia seeks to regulate coca, cannabis and...
Colombia’s armed conflict deescalated: report
Only 21% of land used for gold mining...
Colombia’s prosecution “used to export cocaine,” says president
Colombia’s government coalition cracks
Colombia’s prosecution calls Uribe to testify over massacres...
Colombia’s peace commissioner replaced
Colombia registers 5 massacres in 48 hours
Colombia’s deputy chief prosecutor denies mafia links
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
(Photo: Diario ADN)
News

More than 240 persons in Colombia hurt by fireworks so far this month

by Philipp Zwehl December 13, 2013
1.6K

More than 240 people were hurt by fireworks during the first two weeks of December in Colombia, according to the National Health Institute, as numbers of injuries rise every year during this season with pyrotechnics being part of Christmas tradition.

While the reported number of 244 cases is lower than last year’s 322 for the same time period, this does not indicate a relief as the numbers are preliminary and can vary because results from local authorities are still missing, according to a report of the National Health Institute on Thursday.

More than one third (99) 0f the 244 cases reported between December first and 13th occurred in Colombia’s northwestern department of Antioquia, followed by the Valle de Cause department with 20 cases (8%), according to the notification.

Most of the injuries caused by the inappropriate use of fireworks were burnings, affecting mostly fingers, hands and eyes; 32 cases were so severe that amputations had to be done, involving 12 minors. A 19 year old man was reported dead in the Antioquia department after sufferring fatal injuries caused by fireworks.

According to the National Health Institution quoted by national newspaper El Espectador on Thursday, there are three main causes for the high number of injuries caused by inadequate use of fireworks: unrestricted availability of pyrotechnics, lack of knowledge about the danger of Category 1 fireworks, which may ignite clothing and cause burnings, and finally the lack of distance when setting them off.

Sources

  • La pólvora y la cultura colombiana (El Espectador)
  • BOLETÍN DE VIGILANCIA INTENSIFICADA (1 DE DICIEMBRE 2013 AL 17 DE ENERO 2014) (National Health Institute Report)
Christmasfireworks

Contribute

Trending

  • Colombia’s government coalition cracks

  • Colombia’s peace commissioner replaced

  • Colombia’s prosecution “used to export cocaine,” says president

For patrons

Downloads for patrons

Related articles

  • Colombia suspends UK flights amid COVID surge

  • ELN announces unilateral Christmas ceasefire, reiterates call to resume peace talks

  • 822 persons in Colombia injured by December fireworks

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Rss

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion