ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Iraqi health ministry reported over 500 cases of different injuries during New Year’s Eve celebrations across the country, including more than 140 firework-related incidents.

Saif al-Badr, spokesperson for the health ministry, said on Wednesday that 143 people were hospitalized due to fireworks, 40 due to celebratory gunfire, 203 due to traffic accidents, and 178 for different injuries across all provinces.

"The injuries from the fireworks on New Year's Eve included various burn injuries, direct eye injuries, and limb injuries," said the spokesperson, adding that some of the gunshot injuries were “serious” and required admission to intensive care.

He noted that no deaths were reported, but stressed that some are severely injured and still receiving treatment.

“The ministry did not face any problem in terms of providing medical supplies with the presence of large numbers of staffs,” said Badr, adding that efforts were made to provide immediate aid and treatment.

Iraq's Interior Ministry spokesperson Miqdad Miri previously announced that large numbers of security personnel would be deployed to monitor the security situation during New Year celebrations across the country, adding that celebratory gunfire would be "completely prohibited.”

Injuries from celebratory gunfire and fireworks are common during major occasions in Iraq.