An Safe And Incident Free Romeria

The Cruz Roja Costarricense (Costa Rican Red Cross) reports they closed this year's special operations for the "romeria" without a single fatality.



The Cruz Roja operated permanent posts at Ochomogo, La Galera, Cuesta del Fierro and El Empalme.

The posts were closed at the end of the romeria on Thursday after attending to some 3.600 people, of which 34, suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes, had to be transferred to a medical centre.

The majority of those attended were for sore muscles, cramps and stomach problems.

The Fuerza Publica (police) also report a 'light' romeria in terms of violence. Juan José Andrade, the head of the police force, said that romeria presented a challenge that was met this year.

A strong police presence was evident from La Galera (east side of San José), along the old road from Tres Rios to Cartago, with only two men detained by police, one for harassing a woman and the other for carrying an illegal firearm.



Meanwhile the municipality of Cartago reported a decrease in the amount of trash near the Basilica and along the route.

The program "eco romeria" raised the consciousness of romeros to use the trash bins instead of strewing their trash wherever. The municipality reports collected some 16 tons of waste, half of the amount of the last year.