Believers flock to Good Friday procession of Black Nazarene in Manila

Thousands of devotees filled the streets of Quiapo, Manila from midnight until morning for the annual Good Friday procession of the Black Nazarene.

Devotees rest around a small carriage of a Black Nazarene replica, which joined the annual Good Friday procession of the Black Nazarene in Manila. (INQUIRER.net/Faye Orellana)

An estimated 70,000 devotees joined the procession, according to the Plaza Miranda Police Community Precinct. Believers hoped to lay a hand on the image of the Black Nazarene, or at least feel the rope used to pull the carriage of the holy statue.

Devotees pull the rope to move the carriage of the Black Nazarene image around Manila streets during the annual Good Friday procession of the Black Nazarene. (INQUIRER.net/Faye Orellana)

The “andas” carrying the image of the Black Nazarene left Quiapo Church at exactly midnight Friday, and paraded on the streets until the Black Nazarene statue was safely returned around 10:20 a.m. at the basilica.

Devotees try to touch the image of the Black Nazarene during the annual Good Friday procession of the Black Nazarene in Manila. (INQUIRER.net/Faye Orellana)

There were reports of people getting hurt during the 10-hour procession but medical officials have yet to issue an official accounting of individuals wounded in the Holy Week event.             /kga