Illegal Fireworks Confiscated In The Philippines, 19 Police Injured

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

A total of 27 people, including 19 police and other authorized personnel, were injured when a large pile of confiscated illegal fireworks exploded in the southern Philippines. The explosion damaged houses, hotels and international airports.

Two victims of the explosion Monday, July 8 were in serious condition at a hospital in the southern port city of Zamboanga.

The mayor ordered an investigation into why the plan to destroy fireworks carried out by police armament experts turned into a major explosion.

Reported by CBS News, Tuesday, July 9, explosives expert police are piling up fireworks in open fields for exposure.

But the pile of fireworks that had been doused with water suddenly exploded. The explosion was so powerful that it broke the window glass for three kilometers according to officials and an eye ask.

The passenger terminal at Zamboanga international airport, about two kilometers from the blast site, suffered minor damage but no injuries or flight delays were reported, the Philippine Civil Aviation Authority said.

The illegally produced fireworks were transported from a warehouse in the city of Zamboanga where an accidental explosion occurred on June 29 which left five people dead and several others injured.