Vegetarian Festival toll

PHUKET TOWN: Two people died when their motorcycle hit a pole and a Singaporean tourist was admitted to hospital with damage to his eyes caused by fireworks during the Vegetarian Festival, statistics from hospitals reveal. Hospitals reported that 14 spirit mediums needed treatment for face piercings. Four people suffered from burns and 15 were injured by firecrackers. Including those hurt in traffic accidents, a total of 212 people were injured during the festival, which ran from October 5-14.