Iraq: 564 injured in New Year’s Eve celebrations

Fireworks light up the night sky to welcome the New Year 2025 as people gather to watch fireworks during the New Year celebrations in Baghdad, Iraq on January 01, 2025. [Murtadha Al-Sudani – Anadolu Agency]

Some 564 people were injured in Iraq during New Year Eve’s celebrations, authorities said.

The Ministry of Health’s spokesperson, Saif Al-Badr, said 143 persons were injured by fireworks, while 40 others were injured by live ammunition, which was fired as part of the celebrations.

Al-Badr added that 203 injuries resulted from road accidents.

The injuries caused by fireworks included burns of varying degrees as well as direct injuries to the eyes and limbs.

Some of the injuries resulting from live ammunition are “critical” and required hospitalisation and intensive care, he explained.

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