Over 1,000 needed medical help during Black Nazarene’s Traslacion

More than 1,000 devotees sought medical attention during the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene on Monday, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has said.

As of 9 p.m. on Monday, a total of 1,339 devotees sustained injuries during the procession, only seven of which were considered “major,” the PRC reported.

“We have injuries but only minor ones, but the most important is that we have no casualty and that there were no crime incidents reported during the Traslacion,” Manila Police District director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel said in a news release.

These injuries include dizziness, high blood pressure, bruises and contusions.

A pregnant woman was also brought to the ambulance after feeling dizzy, while three other women sustained bone fractures after they fell from the “andas” which carried the image of the Black Nazarene.

With this, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada lauded the organizers and security forces for the event for their efforts that resulted in “zero casualty.”

“It’s a God’s miracle that no one was seriously hurt, no one died. No matter how excellent our preparations are, it is God’s doing that we’re able to hold the Traslacion safely and peacefully,” Estrada said.

“We’ve been preparing for Traslacion as early as July and I can say this is the product of their hard work and cooperation. Definitely, we will make more improvements next year so we can achieve ‘zero casualty’ again,” he added.

Estrada also served as the "hermano mayor" or host of the feast.

Last year, two persons were reported killed during the procession, Coronel recalled.

This year’s Traslacion can be considered as one of the longest in recent history, lasting for 22 hours and 19 minutes. —Erwin Colcol/NB, GMA News