The Ministry of Health reported eleven deaths and 338 emergency cases due to firecracker and explosive incidents during the eight-day Tet holiday. According to the ministry's report on 21/2, while the number of cases decreased compared to last year's Tet, fatalities increased. The ministry also noted 61 emergency visits for suspected homemade weapons and explosives, resulting in three deaths.

Despite the decrease in overall cases, firecracker injuries remain serious, causing severe trauma such as finger loss, blindness, permanent disability, or death. Doctors at Bach Mai Hospital performed emergency surgeries on numerous patients with ruptured eyeballs, crushed eye sockets, and traumatic brain injuries from firecracker explosions during Tet.

For example, a 45-year-old man from Hai Phong was hospitalized with injuries to both eyes, a brain contusion, and a subdural hemorrhage after igniting firecrackers himself. A 10-year-old boy in Hanoi suffered severe intraocular hemorrhage after picking up and re-igniting an unexploded firecracker.

Patient in emergency during Tet at Viet Duc Hospital. Photo: Thu Trang

Viet Duc Hospital received 28 emergency cases from firecracker incidents (fireworks, homemade firecrackers) and five emergency cases from homemade weapon and explosive incidents during Tet. Dr. Tran Tuan Anh, Deputy Head of the Infectious Surgery Department and Deputy Chief of the emergency shift on the fifth day of Tet, stated that most firecracker accident victims are young people admitted with multiple traumas, including injuries to the eyes and limbs, especially both hands.

"Firecracker accidents leave severe lasting effects such as blindness, limb amputation, and facial and neck trauma. Yet, every Tet, we admit young individuals with multiple firecracker-related injuries," Dr. Tuan Anh said. He added that despite doctors' best efforts, it is often difficult to save patients' hands intact, which is particularly tragic for those in their working prime with their entire future ahead.

Beyond firecracker accidents, the Ministry of Health reported other health-related incidents during the eight-day Tet holiday. Medical facilities recorded over 25,300 visits for suspected traffic accidents, resulting in 163 deaths. Additionally, they treated 607 cases of digestive disorders and food poisoning, nearly 1,200 cases of dengue fever, 809 cases of hand-foot-mouth disease, and 76 cases of measles. No cases of diphtheria or streptococcus suis were recorded.

Le Nga