Over 100 people reported hurt few hours into Black Nazarene Traslacion

Over a hundred people have been brought to several medical stations along the 6.2-kilometer Traslacion route of the Black Nazarene as early as 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, hours into the procession that stated at 5 a.m.

Super Radyo dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported that as of 9 a.m., a total of 144 Traslacion participants have been brought to the different medical stations along the procession route, and some with serious cases have been brought to nearby hospitals.

Mga nasugatan at nahihilong deboto, sunud-sunod nang dinadala sa medical station na itinakda para sa Traslación. | #Nazareno2019 via @dzbbsamnielsen pic.twitter.com/wpzYqYMl7y

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 9, 2019

Medical cases include fainting, difficulty in breathing, hypertension, lacerations, abrasion, and slumping among others, said Celso Gonzales of the Manila Paramedics team.

The annual procession of the miraculous image of the Black Nazarene for the patron's January 9 feast draws in millions of devotees and the event has always been marred by incidents resulting in injuries and other conditions as believers jostle for space and push their way to get close to the image.

In past years, the mammoth procession that usually lasts for 20 hours, had been marred with deaths of some participants.

Barefoot devotees join the procession (Traslacion) or the traditional transfer of the miraculous image from the Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park to its home in the Quiapo Church. — LBG, GMA News