The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reports that 30 uniformed men and civilians were injured when a planned detonation of fireworks by the PNP Regional Explosives and Canine unit resulted to a massive explosion in barangay Cabatangan shortly after 5pm Monday, July 8.
Of the 30 injured, 19 are members of the disposal team while the rest are civilians. Of the 19 uniformed men, 6 are from the PNP Regional Explosives and Canine unit, 3 from the Philippine Coast Guard, 5 from the Bureau of Fire Protection and 5 from the Philippine Marines.
As of 7:56pm, the CDRRMO said 2 patients undergoing medical attention are tagged red or are in life threatening situation.
As this developed, Mayor John Dalipe has called for a thorough investigation on the incident and tasked the City Social Welfare and Development Office to look into the medical needs of those injured as well as families whose properties were damaged due to the explosion.
City Administrator Atty Wendell Sotto, who is the OIC Mayor and Executive Assistant Ron Orendain proceeded to the area to coordinate response efforts. They later met with the Cabatangan barangay officials and the CDRRMO team.
The explosion happened after police authorities hauled the remaining unexploded fireworks from the scene of the June 29 blast in Tetuan that killed 5 people and injured 30 others.
The fireworks were accordingly drenched in water before hauled to Cabatangan for controlled disposal. However, what was supposed to be a controlled detonation turned into a massive explosion. The blast damaged houses, government vehicles and shattered windows as far as Gov. Camins avenue.
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga FB Page)