Virgin Mary Statue Gets Engulfed In Flames During Easter Parade As Spectators Cry Out

A large statue of the Virgin Mary reportedly caught fire during an Easter parade in Velez-M¨¢laga, shocking many people who were celebrating Easter in Spain. The shocking incident was captured on camera and posted on various social media websites and platforms on Friday. Here's what we know.

Virgin Mary statue catches fire during Easter parade

En pleno domingo de ramos se incendia debido a un incidente con una vela, la figura de la Virgen de Roc¨ªo durante la procesi¨®n V¨¦lez-M¨¢laga en Espa?a. pic.twitter.com/tI4lPqMara

¡ª Adela Micha (@Adela_Micha) April 2, 2023

According to Jam Press, a Virgin Mary statue caught fire on Friday during an Easter parade in Velez-M¨¢laga, Spain, hurting two people and causing significant damage to the statue.

A candle reportedly fell on the 5'6" tall, 1980s-made wooden statue, which started the fire. Several participants shrieked in terror and ran away from the blaze in search of safety.

Officials beat the flames with their bare hands and robes in an attempt to put them out. Another worshipper was observed blowing on the flames in an attempt to douse them.

Francisco, 24, and his brother Jess, 19, who were worshippers, were hurt while attempting to save the statue. Local authorities reported that the fire was successfully put out thanks to the brotherhood members' quick actions and the assistance of a fire extinguisher provided by a patrol of local police.

"We wish the two injured people a quick recovery." The injuries to both brothers are now being treated at home.

A major part of the statue was damaged

Twitter Screengrab

According to the parade's organisers, 80 per cent of the statue was damaged but it has been determined that the statue is "recoverable."

The town hall of Velez-M¨¢laga declared that they would contribute to the cost of the statue's restoration, according to The Mirror. Mayor Antonio Moreno Ferre stated that "the town hall has agreed to collaborate with the brothers and sisters of this brotherhood once the damage to the image, the mantle, and other decorative elements of the float have been assessed by experts."

"We collaborate with Pollinica and Roco in these trying times because we think it is important and necessary, and we support our 19 local brotherhoods and the Association of Brotherhoods all year long. They are working towards upholding and preserving our city's and Holy Week's rich historical and cultural heritage."

La Caridad. #ViernesSanto #SemanaSanta #VelezM¨¢laga pic.twitter.com/gz8sRukfIH

¡ª Jos¨¦ Luis Garc¨ªa (@JoseLuisLawyer) April 8, 2023

The statue's damage was unfortunate, the president of the town's Holy Week association added. Francisco Javier Garca del Corral said, "It is a shame what happened, but the important thing is that the image can be restored and that the men have not sustained serious injuries."

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