In total, 12 youngsters have lost a hand or fingers because of fireworks during the New Year celebrations, the Dutch plastic surgeons’ association said on Wednesday.

In total, 54 people have been treated by plastic surgeons for burn and other firework-related injuries and almost seven in 10 of them are under the age of 18.

All those with serious damage to a hand are under the age of 20, with the youngest just 11. All the accidents involved a banned type of powerful firework known as a Cobra 6.

“What really worries me is how these youngsters are getting hold of these Cobras,” plastic surgeon Annekatrien van de Kar told broadcaster NOS. “Someone is buying them for them and these young lads have no idea of the danger these bombs present.”

The Cobra 6 is an Italian firecracker which has been banned in the Netherlands since 2020.