AT LEAST 29 people were injured by firecrackers during the Christmas Day and New Year celebrations in different areas of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City.

Despite the firecracker-related injuries, the revelries in the city and the province were generally peaceful since no major crime incidents were reported up to the New Year’s Day, the police said.

Senior Superintendent Edgardo Ordaniel, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said they went on full alert and policemen were deployed in various places to maintain peace and order.

The BCPO reported nine persons injured by firecrackers treated at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.

Four were minors who sustained minor injuries.

Senior Superintendent Milko Lirazan, director of Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (Noppo), said they recorded 20 persons injured by firecrackers, including 11 minors.

They were treated in various hospitals for minor injuries, he added.

Lirazan said that from December 24 to January 1, the highest injuries were reported in Bago City, with nine persons injured.