Hundreds of Nazarene devotees get treated for high blood pressure, minor injuries

Nearly 500 devotees have suffered various injuries and high blood pressure hours after the start of the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene early Tuesday.

The Philippine Red Cross said that as of 10 a.m., a total of 175 devotees have been attended to by its volunteers for high blood pressure and 226 more were treated for minor injuries including abracions and lacerations and some for fever, dizziness and vomiting.

It also reported that its volunteers have treated 22 major cases, including bone fractures and provided psychosocial support to 37 devotees and one ambulance support.

As of 10AM, PRC already rendered 175 blood pressure monitoring, treated 226 patients with minor injuries (abrasions, lacerations, fever, dizziness, vomiting), catered 22 major cases (DOB & fracture), provided psychosocial support to 37 devotees, and 1 ambulance transport. pic.twitter.com/ADcdcwON8v

— Richard J. Gordon (@DickGordonDG) January 9, 2018

As early as 6 a.m., more than 500,000 people have joined the Traslacion that started shortly before 5 am. at the Quirino Grandstand. As of 10:30 a.m., the carriage of the Black Nazarene has crossed Jones Bridge and was already at the Lawtown area.

LOOK: Traslacion 2018 route

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde said they are expecting the Traslacion to last until midnight.

Organizers are expecting the crowd of the Traslacion to balloon to at least two million. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG/ALG, GMA News