The National Health Institute of Colombia has confirmed on Thursday a balance of at least one death and 633 injuries due to the increased use of pyrotechnic elements throughout the month of December, especially since the Christmas festivities.
According to health authorities, 221 of the injured treated in clinics and hospitals are minors, while the remaining 412 are adults over 18 years of age, according to Colombian radio station RCN Radio.
These high figures are, however, lower than those recorded in the same period last year, when the number of injured was 644 and two people died.
The National Health Institute has warned of an upturn in gunpowder injuries in recent years, with the exception of the Christmas period in 2000, which was marked by mobility restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On the other hand, another of the issues that have marked the social chronicle of the South American country in recent weeks is intoxication due to the ingestion of adulterated alcohol. Health authorities have estimated 36 deaths and 161 intoxicated persons, three more than at this time last year.
Most of the cases are concentrated in the department of Bogota, with 71 injured, followed by Antioquia (with 66), Nariño (with another 44), Santander (38), Tolima (30) and the department of Cundinamarca (another 29 intoxicated).
The Colombian health authorities already assured at the beginning of the week that they will continue with their campaign to warn about the risks of the use of gunpowder, even more when there are still ahead the celebrations for the New Year and the regional festivities of numerous populations in several departments.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
