By Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA
MANILA — A total of 1,613 devotees of the Black Nazarene, who joined the annual Traslacion from early Wednesday until Thursday dawn, have sought various medical treatment and services.
In its latest report as of 7 a.m. on Thursday, the Philippine Red Cross said 62 persons suffered “major cases” of lacerations, and experienced difficulty in breathing, dizziness and body weakness.
Four devotees were transported to the nearest hospital due to hypertension, fracture, and chest pain.
Meanwhile, a total of 603 cases handled by Red Cross personnel mostly involved difficulty in breathing, fainting, abrasion, bruises, lacerations, toothache, nose bleeding, sprain, hypoglycemia, and foot swelling.
A total of 197 persons sought psychosocial support while 747 people had their blood pressure monitored.
Every year, the religious event attracts millions of devotees, who brave the heat and huge crowd, just to be in the presence of the icon believed to be miraculous. Police have placed at 1.4 million the attendees to this year’s Traslacion.