Devotees suffered fracture, cuts, fever, dizziness, etc. – PH Red Cross

In this January 9, 2017 photo, a devotee is rescued by the Red Cross team as she fainted getting through the andas (carriage) during the Translacion of the Black Nazarene. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JILSON SECKLER TIU)

At least 248 devotees who suffered injuries have been treated by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on the morning of the annual Traslacion of the Black Nazarene in Manila on Tuesday.

In the hourly tally of the PRC, a total of 226 patients suffered abrasions, lacerations, fever, dizziness, and vomiting as of 10 a.m. while the image of Black Nazarene is being paraded on its way to Quiapo Church.

In a Twitter post by PRC chairman and Senator Richard Gordon, 22 major cases of fracture and other injuries have so far been recorded while 175 individuals have been rendered blood pressure monitoring.

The PRC also provided psychosocial support to 37 devotees, Gordon added.

According to the PRC, it has deployed around 2,000 volunteers, 58 ambulances, nine first aid stations, and eight rescue trucks around the area of the procession.

As of 9:45 a.m., the Black Nazarene’s andas (carriage) already reached the Bonifacio Shrine since it left Quirino Grandstand around 5:00 a.m. Tuesday.                        /kga