A young girl is in a serious condition at Cork University Hospital after a firework she had been playing with exploded.
It is believed the girl, who is 14-year-old, sustained injuries to one of her arms and her face following an explosion.
The girl is undergoing emergency surgery and is understood to have lost a number of fingers on one of her hands as well as suffering serious facial injuries.
Following the incident, eyewitnesses heard a loud bang on the street and emergency services were at the scene minutes later.
A Garda spokesperson said an investigation has been opened into the circumstances around the incident.
“Gardaí at the Bridewell Garda Station in Cork are investigating an incident which occurred in a laneway near Barrack St in Cork at approximately 2pm this afternoon. A 14-year-old female came in contact with what is described as a firework,” they said.
“She has received serious injuries to her hand and face and has been taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment. Investigations are continuing.”