An 18-year-old in Seewalchen, Austria, suffered severe injuries after a homemade firework exploded in his hand.

The incident occurred on Saturday night, just before his 18th birthday, as he and two friends attempted to ignite the device on a street outside the town.

The explosion caused significant damage to his hand, including a large wound and the loss of part of his palm, as well as facial injuries.

Fortunately, his eyesight was spared despite plastic fragments hitting his face.

Emergency services transported him to a local hospital before he was transferred to Linz for specialized surgery.

Authorities are investigating who constructed and lit the explosive.