Photos by NPPA Images
For Yahoo! Southeast Asia
Filipino Catholic devotees of the Black Nazarene join the feast day procession from Quirino Grandstand towards Quiapo Church in Manila on 09 January 2011. The Black Nazarene, a dark wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ, is believed to be miraculous by Filipinos and the annual feast of the Black Nazarene celebrated every January 09 is done with a traditional procession attended by thousands of barefoot devotees. (Jerome Ascano/NPPA Images)
In a report by the Associated Press, officials estimate that at least 300 people fainted or got sick during the prayer vigil prior to the procession.
“Several others were injured when barefoot devotees surged forward and trampled over iron railings to try to touch the 404-year-old image of Christ,” the report added.
The report quoted police as saying the crowd gathering at Rizal Park has reached a million as 3,500 policemen secure the event.
