NCRPO: 584 hurt in Black Nazarene procession

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Police Office on Thursday monitored more than 500 people who were injured during the procession of the Black Nazarene in Manila.

In a text message, NCRPO head Chief Superintendent Carmelo Valmoria said police personnel have recorded a total of 584 people hurt since dawn Thursday during the one of the biggest Catholic events in the country.

Valmoria said these are only minor injuries.

He said authorities have yet to come up with reports of snatching and pickpocketing incidents as of the moment.

Meanwhile, radio reports said that a man, who was high in solvent, jumped from the Quezon Bridge located near the Quaipo church Thursday afternoon during the traditional traslacion.

The man was rescued and fished out by some of the devotees of the Black Nazarene, reports added. 

Meanwhile, over 200 people were treated by first aid givers for minor injuries during the procession of the Black Nazarene in Manila.

In its official Twitter account, the Philippine Red Cross said  that as of noon Thursday, volunteers have treated a total 211 for minor injuries.

Medical personnel in aid stations set up by the PRC also took the blood pressure of 133 people who experienced difficulty in breathing as hundreds of thousands of devotees joined the procession of the image of Black Nazarene in Manila.

Authorities estimated that the number of people who flocked to Quaipo Church to join the feast of the Black Nazarene has reached three million.