A 29-year-old man has died nearly a month after suffering severe burns from a massive fireworks explosion in Hawaii.
His death brings the total number of fatalities from the New Year’s Eve incident to five, according to the Honolulu Police Department.
The man, whose identity has not been released, had been receiving treatment at the Arizona Burn Center along with five other victims.
Deadly Fireworks Explosion Claims Multiple Lives
The explosion occurred at a Honolulu home on New Year’s Eve when a party attendee lit aerial fireworks. The fireworks fell on their side, shooting sparks into nearby crates filled with more fireworks, igniting a devastating chain reaction.
Among the victims killed in the blast were 3-year-old Cassius Ramos-Benigno, Carmelita Benigno, 61, Nelie Ibarra, 58, and Jennifer Van, 23, according to CBS affiliate HNN.
In addition to the five fatalities, more than two dozen people were injured, prompting an urgent response from emergency services.
Hawaii Moves to Crack Down on Illegal Fireworks
Following the tragic explosion, Hawaii Governor Josh Green has proposed stricter penalties for illegal fireworks. His plan includes issuing $300 fines for setting off fireworks and imposing decades-long prison sentences if their use results in injury or death.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and officials hope the proposed crackdown will prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The New Year’s Eve fireworks explosion in Honolulu has left a lasting impact on the community, with five lives lost and many others injured.
As Hawaii considers stricter fireworks regulations, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of mishandling fireworks.