The phenomenon of celebratory aerial shooting has ruined religious and social occasions around the world for many years - and tragically, this December-January proved no exception.
Aerial firing is an accepted part of customary celebration in many parts of world. Fuelled with adrenalin and heightened emotion, gunmen point their weapons to the sky - but with little thought of the bullets that then rain down on the heads around them.
Preliminary research by IANSA indicates that 15 people died and 77 were injured in 13 countries over the festive period in this way.
In Rio de Janerio, joy turned to tragedy when one man was killed and five were wounded at the city's famous New Year's Eve party on Copacabana beach. In the Sicilian city of Catania, a teenage girl was awakened by a gunshot in her arm. In Arizona, US, a five-year-old boy was hit and injured by a stray bullet when it shot through his bedroom wall on New Year's Day. And at least 3 people were killed and 24 injured by stray bullets in Karachi, Pakistan, as the new year was welcomed with volleys of gunfire.
For their relatives, these traditional days of public celebration will be forever associated with private grief.
IANSA members have campaigned for awareness of the dangers of aerial firing. In Macedonia, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative addressed the media and the Interior Ministry on the dangers of aerial shooting in crowds on Christmas Eve. There have been no reports of incidents there. |
