New Year revelry hurts hundreds in Philippines

Filipinos view burning houses during a fire in a slum area of Quezon city, east of Manila, Philippines, 01 January 2015. The fire, which razed more than 200 houses made from light materials, leaves hundreds of families homeless during the start of the year 2015. - EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO

MANILA, Jan 01, 2015 (AFP) - Firecrackers and gunfire during New Year revelry in the Philippines left 354 people injured, with more than a dozen requiring amputations including a five-year-old boy, the top health official said Thursday.

The annual tide of injuries during New Year celebrations dropped to the lowest in five years, with 351 people hurt by fireworks and three hit by stray bullets in the last few days of 2014, said Health Secretary Janette Garin.