NEW Year festivities in Lusaka turned sour for several people, including a 16-year-old boy of Chelston whose leg was ripped off by a firecracker. Two other people sustained serious injuries after the fireworks exploded on them. A nine-year-old boy of Chazanga was injured when a firecracker blew up in his face. And a 31-year-old man of Kalingalinga was trying to light a firework for his son when it blew up in his hands, leaving him with serious burns. The three victims were admitted to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) yesterday around 07:00 hours. UTH director for clinical care Alex Makupe confirmed the incidents in an interview.

“UTH received three fireworks victims on New Year’s Day and all of them are in admission,” Dr Makupe said. He said Mike Chinyama had one of his legs severed while Steve Ng’ambi of Chazanga is nursing serious burns after the fireworks blew up in his face. Steve has his sight affected and is admitted to UTH eye clinic where he is receiving treatment. When approached for interviews, the parents of the victims were still in shock and could not say anything.

And 31-year-old Boyd Njaluka is nursing serious burns on his arm after a firework blew up in his hands. His wife, Mable, said the incident happened when one of their sons asked him to light up a firework for him. “While my husband was blowing the firework, it burnt him on his arm, and I could not help him because it all happened too quickly,” she said. Mrs Njaluka said it is unfortunate that her husband, the sole provider for the family, had his arm burnt.

“I am just praying that he gets better soon because he is the only one who provides for the family and pays school fees for the children,” she said. Meanwhile, Lusaka City Council public relations manager George Sichimba says it is unfortunate that despite the local authority’s repeated warnings against unauthorised use of fireworks, people still used them and some got injured. Mr Sichimba, however, wished the victims a quick recovery. Prior to the festive period, Mr Sichimba urged members of the public who intended to use fireworks during Christmas and New Year celebrations to obtain express permission from the council.

This is because fireworks can be harmful to people, apart from them being a nuisance. The local authority also urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children were guided on how to use fireworks to avoid accidents. Meanwhile, UTH recorded three deaths from road traffic accidents at the dawn of 2020. Dr Makupe said the names of the victims are not yet known