SEREMBAN, March 20 — A firecracker mishap last week left a 17-year-old boy with serious injuries, including ruptured eardrums in both ears and a broken nose, in Bandar Springhill, Lukut, Port Dickson.
Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said the teenager also suffered injuries to his fingers and palms, as well as minor facial wounds.
“The Port Dickson district police headquarters received a report today at 6.17 pm. Preliminary investigations found the incident occurred on March 12 at about 11 pm.
“The victim, together with friends, is believed to have packed the sulphur from about 20 ‘mercun bola’ (ball firecrackers) into a hole in a metal rod before inserting a firecracker to produce a stronger explosion,” he said in a statement.
A powerful explosion occurred when the victim attempted to light the firecracker with a lighter, causing his serious injuries.
Alzafny said the teenager was initially taken to a private hospital before being transferred to Port Dickson Hospital for further treatment. “He has been warded since March 13,” he added.
The case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958. “No arrests have been made so far. Police are tracking down witnesses to record their statements,” he said.
He urged the public not to modify or mishandle firecrackers, warning that they can cause serious injuries and endanger the safety of others.
