Tragedy mars Nazarene feast day

One man was killed while dozens were hurt after thousands of devotees scrambled to touch the 200-year-old life-size figure of Christ during a religious procession marking the feast of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila yesterday.

As 43-year-old Nilo Guevarra of Agoo, Marikina City tried to climb the carriage of the Black Nazarene at around 2:46 p.m. on Carlos Palanca street, he suffered chest pains and collapsed.

Emergency workers pulled the man out of the procession after he fainted and fell near the Black Nazarene statue. He suffered a heart attack and died before reaching the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRMMC), paramedics said.

Guevarra also suffered superficial wounds in the head and arms after he lost consciousness and fell from the carriage being pulled by devotees.

As of 6 p.m., Western Police District-Tactical Operation Center (WPD-TOC) said about 100 people were treated by paramedics and first-aid volunteers after suffering from dizziness.

Of the 100 devotees treated, at least 20 suffered cuts in the arms and feet, according to Rafael Neri, a non-uniformed member of the WPD-TOC.

Volunteer doctors Chua Suan and Rene Juico said a number of devotees were taken to the JRMMC to undergo further medical treatment.

More than 1,500 police and volunteer marshalls guarded the procession, but were unable to hold back the devotees dressed in maroon robes who believe that contact with the fire-blackened icon can cure illness.

"What is important to these devotees is that they’re able to wipe their handkerchiefs or towels on the image, and then wipe it on their sick relatives because they believe that the sick will recover," said Antonio Saavedra, a church caretaker and leader of the devotees. Radio stations reported dozens were hurt, many of them fainting because of the hot weather or after being crushed.

Despite the huge crowd, 71-year-old Herman Narciso still visited Quiapo Church, which he started doing in 1948, when he was still 15 years old.

"Bata pa ako nang nalaman ko na may sakit ako sa baga kaya namanata ako. Matapos ang dalawang taon na pagpunta sa Quiapo, gumaling na ako, pero tinuloy ko pa rin kahit matanda na ako tanda ng pasasalamat sa Panginoon," Narciso told The STAR.

Narciso was one of many devotees who prayed for blessing and guidance. Other devotees prayed for jobs, good health and peaceful life.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene has its roots in 17th-century Mexico, where a priest bought the statue before bringing it to Manila in 1606.

The icon has cracked in recent years and church officials have had to reinforce it with stainless steel to stop it from breaking apart.