A deadly explosion from illegal fireworks in a Honolulu neighborhood caused severe injuries to several people, leaving some with wounds like those seen in battlefields, according to doctors. Dr. Kevin Foster, the director of the Arizona Burn Center, explained that flying debris and particles from the blast caused traumatic injuries, in addition to the burns from the fire and heat.
The explosion, which happened on New Year’s Eve, killed four people, including a 3-year-old child, and injured 20 others. Six of the injured were flown to Arizona on January 4, as Hawaii’s only burn unit couldn’t handle all the victims. Doctors didn’t realize the full extent of their injuries until they went through surgery.
The victims were mostly in their 20s and 30s, with severe burns covering large areas of their bodies. Some victims had burns over 45% to nearly 80% of their bodies, and many needed breathing tubes or were in medically induced comas. The explosion also caused damage to homes, cars, and scattered debris across the street.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green has pledged to increase penalties for those breaking the state’s fireworks laws. He has proposed new punishments and asked the state legislature for $5.2 million to hire additional staff and improve forensic labs to fight illegal fireworks smuggling.
