An image of the Virgen del Rocío has been burning this Palm Sunday in the Malaga town of Vélez-Málaga while it was in full procession through the streets of the municipality after one of the candles that make up the candlestick fell against the saya of the image, and two men of throne have suffered burns on their hands when trying to suffocate it.

The event occurred minutes before 18:00 p.m., about 200 meters from its processional exit, apparently by a candle of the candlestick, which has fallen backwards when raising the throne, against the saya of the virgin, according to eyewitnesses.

The flames have burned at least the saya, an arm, part of the virgin's face and hair, and several people who climbed the throne tried to put out the fire with their hands, until they could use fire extinguishers.

The two injured have suffered burns on their hands when trying to put out the fire, one has had to be transferred to the Regional Hospital of Vélez-Málaga and another has been treated on the spot by the Red Cross, as reported to Efe the Emergency service 112 Andalusia.

When the events occurred, several individuals alerted 112 that immediately notified Firefighters, National and Local Police and health services.

The local police have been able to put out the fire with extinguishers, according to sources.

Some horquilleros (men of throne) were lying on the ground by the smoke of the fire extinguishers, many mantillas ran through the procession when they saw the smoke, with great concern among the attendees.

Once the fire was extinguished, they covered the virgin with a blanket and moved her back to her place of departure. The procession has been suspended and the "Pollinica", which was further ahead, has also returned.

Due to the fire there have been moments of great confusion and many people have run and have taken refuge in nearby areas because they were with minors.

Last Friday in the Holy Trinity parish, known as the church of San Telmo in Chiclana (Cádiz), the mantle of the image of María Santísima de los Desconsuelos came out burning, which suffered severe damage, although there were no injuries.

According to The Trust Project criteria

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