The National Commission of Emergencies (CNE) is reporting the deaths of 33 people and 350 injuries in the Dominican Republic from 12pm on 23 December to 6am on 26 December. Of the total, 18 died in traffic accidents and 12 in gun or knife confrontations. Of the 350 injuries, 132 were sustained in traffic accidents, 34 in gun fights, 86 in knife fights, 24 in firework accidents, 34 in fights, 28 from alcohol intoxication and 12 for food poisoning.
While in 2003, 30 people died during the Christmas holiday period, 722 were reported injured. That also compares to the toll for the 2002 holiday period, when there were 36 dead and 486 injured.
The good news is that there were fewer burns and injuries related to fireworks accidents this year. According to spokesman for the Pearl F Ort burn unit at the Hospital Luis Eduardo Aybar, the number was considerably lower than in 2003. On the peak day, they reported cases of 3, down from 18 last year. Dr Carlos de los Santos urged parents to continue to be aware of the dangers and not to allow their children to handle fireworks.