31 hurt in Nazarene procession
At least 31 devotees of the Black Nazarene were injured during an annual thanksgiving procession at the Quiapo Church in Manila early yesterday morning.
Organizers of the procession said the devotees suffered minor injuries after stepping on stones and other sharp objects. The others felt dizzy and fainted after their blood pressure went up.
They were given first aid treatment by medical teams stationed around the church and along the procession route.
Reports said the devotees occupied several lanes along Quezon Avenue.
Superintendent Thomas Ibay, commander of the Ma- nila Police District Station 3, said they closed roads along the procession route as early as 1 a.m.
The Black Nazarene entered the Minor Basilica after the procession ended at around 10:30 a.m., according to MPD spokesman Superintendent Erwin Margarejo.
Margarejo said they were monitoring the event in preparation for the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9 “so we could fine-tune our security measures.”
The image of the Black Nazarene is brought out of its shrine for public veneration three times a year: Jan. 9, Good Friday and Dec. 31.
Millions are expected to flock to Manila for the “traslacion” in celebration of the Black Nazarene’s feast day.