Devotee suffers spine injury, another falls from ‘Andas’

In this January 9, 2017, devotees struggle to touch the rope of the “Andas” carrying the Black Nazarene for blessing. It is believed to be a great sanctity to touch the rope. Millions of Nazareno devotees join the annual Translacion in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

A devotee of the Black Nazarene has suffered a spine and neck injury while a minor fell from the carriage of the Black Nazarene during the Traslacion, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reported on Tuesday.

The victims, whose names were withheld, were immediately brought to the hospital. The 17-year-old teenager who fell from the carriage reportedly felt dizzy and his limbs become weak before he fell from the moving carriage. The teenager was rushed to the Makati Medical Center for treatment.

Seven hours after the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene left the Quirino Grandstand early Tuesday, the PRC said it has already assisted 652 devotees who either sustained minor or major injuries like cuts, bruises, and fractures or experience difficulty in breathing or hypertension.

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

Traslacion 2018 started by 5:07 a.m. with the image of the Black Nazarene leaving the Quirino Grandstand.              /kga