Nine people have had part or complete amputations of some of their fingers because of the incorrect use of firecrackers during Eid Al-Fitr celebrations in Asir. The people are between 12 and 50 years of age, and include a woman. Dr. Saleh Bin Saad Al-Mu'nis, Supervisor General of Asir Central Hospital, said the injuries were mostly to the hand area and led to the amputation of fingers or parts of fingers in all of the cases. This includes amputation of the phalanx (part of the finger), the whole finger and parts of the hand with severe laceration of the tissues. A woman had three fingers amputated because of severe laceration of the tissues, he said. This was the first time Asir Central Hospital had dealt with these kinds of severe lacerations, he said. Al-Mu'nis warned citizens and expatriates against handling firecrackers because of the danger, especially using small platforms for launching the crackers.
