COE Launches Safety Operation for Basilica Pilgrimage

Santo Domingo.- The Emergency Operations Center (COE), alongside partner institutions and the Governorship of La Altagracia, will deploy 8,322 volunteers to support citizens traveling to the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia in Higüey for the annual religious celebration. The operation will begin on Monday, January 20, at 2:00 PM, and run until Tuesday, January 21, at 6:00 PM, covering key routes from the Juan Carlos Bridge to the Basilica.
COE Director Juan Manuel Méndez García highlighted the focus on preventing traffic accidents and urged citizens to drive responsibly and avoid alcohol consumption. The plan includes 98 ambulances, 321 emergency posts, two field hospitals, a mobile command center, and a helicopter for aerial support. Medical transport will also be available for emergencies near the Basilica.
A three-tier security perimeter will be established at the Basilica, featuring rapid response teams, pre-hospital care stations, and fixed assistance posts. DIGESETT and the Ministry of Public Works will ensure road safety with additional patrols, mobile workshops, and tow trucks along the route. Authorities emphasized the religious nature of the event, calling for public awareness and cooperation.