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Nazareno injuries rise to 54

by Jericho Zafra

PUBLISHED ON January 9, 2023

THE number of devotees who were injured during the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene reached 54, Quiapo officials reported Monday.

In a medical bulletin report, Quiapo Church said some 54 devotees had been assisted by medical frontliners stationed at the Quirino Grandstand and Quiapo Church from 12 midnight until 11 a.m. on January 9.

Overall crowd estimate from the Quiapo Church Command Post showed that 174,500 Filipino Catholics visited the Quiapo Church on its feast day, while 115,400 devotees are currently at the Quirino Grandstand to attend the Pagpupugay activity, QCCP said in a report released to the media.

Hypertension/hypotension accounted for the majority of injuries during the celebration, with 44, followed by headache and dizziness with 5.

The report said that three devotees suffered from wounds, lacerations, punctures, and abrasions, one from a sprain and one from other causes.

Most hypertension/hypotension cases were tallied at 10 a.m, where the Quiapo Church Command Post reported that some 41,200 devotees flocked to Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene to attend the hourly mass and 4,000 devotees lined up for the Pagpupugay.

Earlier, the Quiapo Church said that medical teams would be deployed in various areas of the Quiapo Church and the Quirino Grandstand in case some faithful suffered from injuries related to the celebration.

Devotees are also encouraged to attend online gatherings or go to the prayer stations installed around the Quiapo Church for the celebration in order to prevent the influx of devotees inside the church and the grandstand.

To lessen the injuries and other diseases related to the celebration, Quiapo Church authorities advised all devotees who are sick are strongly discouraged from participating in the activities: people with a body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius and blood pressure higher than 130/80, and people with a sore throat, coughs, colds, and loose bowel movements.

The Department of Health likewise said all devotees should be responsible enough during the religious activities intended for the celebration in order to keep the celebration safe from infections and other injuries.