Boy killed, over 200 hurt in Philippine revelry
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A Filipino is treated for firecracker injuries at the East Avenue Medical Center in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila on Jan 1, 2013. Despite a ban by authorities on certain firecrackers due to injuries and death, many Filipinos still welcome the New Year with fireworks in the belief that it will drive away evil spirits and bring in good luck. -- PHOTO: AP
MANILA (AFP) - Celebratory gunfire killed a four-year-old boy and more than 200 others were injured by powerful firecrackers in typically rowdy New Year celebrations in the Philippine capital, officials said on Tuesday.
A bullet hit the boy in the back as he was playing outside his home in Manila's suburban Mandaluyong district, said the city's police chief Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina.
He said police launched an investigation to trace the gun owner but admitted it may take time in a country where unlicensed firearms are widespread.
"We caught 10 people firing indiscriminately, most of them were private security guards who were drunk," he said over DZBB radio.
