Hundreds injured at Philippine parade

A float carrying the statue, called The Black Nazarene, is paraded through the streets of the city on January 9th every year.

Police say more than one million people have joined the Catholic ritual. Over 80 percent of the country’s population is Catholic.

Devotees believe their wishes come true by touching the statue. Those who cannot reach it throw towels to people on the float to brush it on their behalf.

Many people suffered injuries or fell ill in temperatures that hit 32 degrees Celsius.

Red Cross officials say about 900 people have received medical treatment.