Over 25 pct increase in surgeries on fireworks victims

Trauma surgeons treated 95 patients with firework injuries over New Year's, including 40 children. "The total number of victims increased by more than a quarter compared to last year", the Dutch association for trauma surgeons NVT said to ANP.

Nearly a third of the victims needed surgery immediately or a day later. About 30 percent sustained permanent damage, including 15 victims under the age of 16. A 14-year-old lost a hand, and a 13-year-old boy lost two fingers.

35 percent of the victims were hurt by fireworks lit by someone else. 50 percent of the injuries were caused by legal fireworks, 10 percent by illegal fireworks. For the rest, it is unclear whether the involved fireworks were legal or illegal.