A 3-year-old boy became the fourth fatality in a New Year’s Eve fireworks explosion in Honolulu, succumbing to his injuries on Monday, according to authorities.
The three other fatalities were women.
The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office identified the boy as Cassius Ramos-Benigno.
The incident, which occurred at a home, also left more than 20 people injured.
Honolulu Police Chief Arthur Logan told a Jan. 1 news conference that the blast happened when a lit bundle of aerial, mortar-style fireworks called a “cake” tipped over or fell, firing sideways into crates where there were more fireworks.
Authorities have said that using aerial fireworks in these situations is illegal.
As per a request of Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, the U.S. military flew six of the worst injured to Phoenix, Arizona, for treatment, as Hawaii’s lone burn center could not care for all the victims.
Green likened the injuries to “the worst possible, war-zone injuries.”
Dr. Kevin Foster, director of the Arizona Burn Center, described the extent of their injuries during a news conference on Monday.
“There’s something uniquely and particularly horrifying about being burned, especially from this type of injury,” Foster said. “And we anticipate that all of these patients are going to have some adjustment issues.”
Foster said the person who escaped with the least damage has burns over 45 percent of their body, while the worst affected has burns over nearly 80 percent of their body. The victims, all in their 20s or 30s, face a long recovery ahead.
He said it could take anywhere from six months to a year before they return to any resemblance of normal life, with four of the patients likely to remain intubated or in a medically induced coma for weeks.
During the Jan. 1 news conference, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said he was disappointed about the explosion.
“We’re angry, frustrated, and deeply saddened at this unnecessary loss of life and suffering. It’s a tragic way to start the new year,” he said.
The governor is now considering introducing new penalties, including a felony charge for possessing large fireworks, to curb the illegal fireworks trade in Hawaii.
Green further announced an amnesty program where residents can turn in their illegal fireworks without being prosecuted, he said in a video posted on social media.