MANILA, Philippines - Over 2,000 individuals who joined the Black Nazarene procession on Wednesday sought medical attention from Philippine Red Cross stations around the areas.
The Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang said in a radio report that 860 suffered from minor injuries while 36 were hurt with major injuries as of 5:00 a.m. on Thursday due to the mobbing of the cherished and reportedly miraculous statue while it was being transported from the Quirino Grandstand to its place in the Quiapo Parish Church.
Pang added that 577 asked for their blood pressure be checked while 12 individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Eight children went missing in the thick crowds but were found by their relatives after the procession, Pang said.
The Metro Manila Development Authority and other medical teams also responded to 500 other devotees who needed medical help.
Reports say that about 9 million people, mostly barefoot, joined the Wednesday procession in Manila.