MANILA — At least two people were killed and nearly 600 others injured by fireworks and gunfire in New Year celebrations in the Philippines, officials said yesterday.

About 50 hospitals nationwide reported 599 injured from Dec 21 to Jan 1, a 43 per cent jump from the same period last year, said Department of Health spokesman Dr Eric Tayag.

In northern Cagayan province, a fireworks fountain display packed with firecrackers exploded and killed a 19-year-old man, while an infant boy was killed by a bullet that went through the roof of the family’s house in northern Ilocos Sur province.

Doctors in nearby Ilocos Norte province said another boy is fighting for his life after he was hit in the forehead by a bullet that is still lodged in his head.

The deaths and injuries come at the end of a year when several disasters hit the Philippines, including the Nov 8 Typhoon Haiyan, locally called Yolanda, that left more than 6,100 dead and nearly 1,800 others missing.

“Many here are welcoming the new year after losing their mothers, fathers, siblings and children so you can imagine how it feels,” said village chief Maria Rosario Bactol of Anibong community in Tacloban, the city worst hit by Typhoon Haiyan.

Dr Tayag said he expects the number of injuries to rise as the Health Department continued its count.

Many Filipinos, largely influenced by Chinese tradition, believe that raucous New Year celebrations drive away evil and misfortune, and set off huge firecrackers and fire guns despite the danger and threats of arrest. There was even a type of firecracker sold on the illegal market as Super Yolanda, named after the killer typhoon.

The government has issued repeated warnings against the use of firecrackers in greeting the New Year, with Health Secretary Enrique Ona urging lawmakers to consider banning them.

“We have to seriously consider and discuss in Congress a total ban because more and more people are getting injured,” Mr Ona told the Philippine Star.

Last year, 931 people were injured from fireworks and stray bullets, leading the police to step up its efforts to clamp down on the indiscriminate firing of guns and selling of banned firecrackers.

In the capital Manila, police teams were deployed to go after those who use their guns to welcome the New Year.

Last year, a seven-year-old, Stephanie Nicole Ella, was killed by a stray bullet while watching fireworks in Caloocan City. The case is still unsolved. AGENCIES