A 16-year-old boy in Thailand lost four fingers on his left hand after a modified firecracker exploded while he was packing explosives into a steel pipe, prompting a hospital to warn parents to keep children away from dangerous fireworks.
The teenager, from Kantharawichai district in Mahasarakham province, was seriously injured in the incident, which occurred ahead of the End of Buddhist Lent festival.
According to initial information, the boy bought 300 firecrackers from a shop near his home for 300 baht (approximately RM40). He then extracted explosive powder from around 50 firecrackers and packed it into a metal pipe.
The explosion occurred as he used a stick to compact the powder, holding the pipe with his left hand and the stick with his right. The blast tore off four fingers on his left hand and caused injuries to his right hand, arms and legs. He also experienced ringing in his ears and suffered significant blood loss.
Relatives who heard the explosion rushed to help him and took him to a community hospital before he was transferred to Mahasarakham Hospital for further treatment.
Doctors cleaned his wounds, assessed the extent of the injuries and removed damaged tissue before urgently treating his injured fingers.
The boy reportedly told medical staff that he had watched videos on social media showing people modifying firecrackers by placing them inside steel pipes. He decided to try the method himself without realising how dangerous it was.
Mahasarakham Hospital director Dr Noppadol Phitsanuwong warned that firecracker injuries could be difficult to treat because explosive residue may contaminate wounds, which often affect fingertips and finger joints containing numerous nerves.
He explained that the force of an explosion could also damage blood vessels, restricting blood flow to the fingertips and causing tissue death. In severe cases, amputation may be necessary. Some injuries also require wound cleaning and the removal of damaged tissue in a sterile operating theatre to reduce the risk of infection.
The hospital urged parents to closely supervise their children during the upcoming End of Buddhist Lent festival and other traditional celebrations, warning them against dismantling firecrackers or packing explosives into pipes and containers.
Such modifications could trigger powerful explosions, resulting in the loss of fingers, permanent disabilities or even death.
The teenager’s father said he was shocked by the incident and did not know where his son had bought the firecrackers. He added that his son was currently on school leave and staying with his grandmother while he worked away from home.
The father urged parents and guardians to prevent children from playing with firecrackers or handling dangerous objects, stressing that such activities could cause devastating injuries.
