Colombia registers more than 500 injuries due to the misuse of gunpowder during the Christmas season

MADRID, 26 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The National Institute of Health of Colombia has raised the balance of injuries to 503, more than 180 of them minors, due to the misuse of gunpowder in recent days, coinciding with the dates of Christmas festivities.

The majority of cases of burns have been concentrated in Bogotá, with 55; Antioquia, with another 54; and Cundinamarca, with 21 recorded injuries. According to the RCN Radio station, these are the territories where, traditionally, gunpowder is used during celebrations.

The national authorities have urged adults to control the use of fireworks so as not to set a bad example for minors. It has also been called to reserve the use of fireworks to professionals and experts.

According to the National Institute of Health, 90 percent of the injured have suffered burns; 59 percent, lacerations; 21 percent, contusions, 6 percent have suffered amputations, another 6 percent have received eye damage and 3 percent have registered problems in the auditory system.

The Colombian health authorities have stressed that they will continue with their campaign to warn of the risks of the use of gunpowder, even more so when the New Year celebrations and regional festivals of numerous towns in various departments are still ahead.