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A tragic incident on New Year’s Eve in Honolulu has claimed the life of a 3-year-old boy, marking the fourth fatality from a massive fireworks explosion. The blast, which occurred at a Honolulu home, also severely injured six others, who are now being treated for extensive burns in Arizona.
The explosion killed three women and left over 20 individuals injured, many suffering severe burns. The Honolulu medical examiner identified the child as Cassius Ramos-Benigno, with the cause and manner of death still under investigation.
Following the explosion, local leaders have renewed their calls for stricter regulations and enforcement to curb the illegal fireworks trade in Hawaii, advocating for harsher penalties.
To manage the overwhelming number of burn victims, the U.S. military transported six people to Phoenix for treatment after Hawaii’s burn center reached capacity. These individuals, aged in their 20s and 30s, are facing extensive burn injuries, with the least affected having burns over 45% of their body and the most severely injured with burns over 80%. According to Dr. Kevin Foster, director of the Arizona Burn Center, all patients are using breathing tubes, and five remain in medically induced comas. Foster indicated that recovery will take six months to a year, with some needing to stay intubated for weeks.
In addition to the physical injuries, these patients are also likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with dedicated psychologists and psychiatrists available to assist in their recovery.
Before being transferred to Arizona, many of the victims underwent emergency surgeries in Hawaii to address their burns and other trauma caused by the explosion and flying debris. The Arizona Burn Center has since performed multiple surgeries, focusing first on removing burns and preparing for skin grafts. The primary concern moving forward is the risk of infections, a common complication in burn victims.
The road to recovery will be long, with the scars and physical limitations resulting from the injuries expected to have lasting effects. Foundations linked to the burn center are providing housing support for the patients’ families, and some staff members have opened their homes to provide additional support.
In Honolulu, Straub Benioff Medical Center is caring for 10 victims of the blast, more than any other mass casualty event in the region, including the 2023 Maui wildfires. The hospital’s burn unit staff is working tirelessly, changing dressings for the patients, with some requiring a team of four to work for hours due to the severity of their burns.
Fireworks have long been a part of New Year’s celebrations in Hawaii, but in recent years, there has been an increase in the use of illegal, professional-grade fireworks. Despite these being prohibited for amateur use, neighborhoods across Oahu often see aerial fireworks being launched into the sky throughout the night.
Authorities have stated that the explosion occurred when a bundle of aerial fireworks was lit at a party, causing a chain reaction when the bundle fell onto its side and ignited nearby crates of fireworks. Video footage from the scene shows a series of blasts shooting fireworks into the air and around the house.
While Hawaii has varying rules regarding different types of fireworks, Oahu, the most populous island, only allows certain firecrackers at specific times of year. However, residents often ignore these restrictions, setting off fireworks year-round.
