
By The Star Staff
Carlos Acevedo, director of the Office for Emergency Management and Disaster Administration, announced Sunday that thousands of people had packed Old San Juan at the close of the traditional Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, an event that brought together residents and visitors in an atmosphere of celebration and culture.
As part of the security measures to ensure the well-being of attendees, at 3 p.m. Sunday the suspension of the municipal transportation system was to be evaluated due to the number of visitors. If the figure of 200,000 people was determined to have been reached, transfers from the established points at Sagrado Corazón and Hiram Bithorn were to be suspended.

“Because of our responsibility to guarantee the safety of all attendees, we have made this decision to prevent any major incident and ensure that the experience continues to develop in a peaceful manner,” Acevedo said early Sunday afternoon.
The event has been a success thanks to the collaboration of the attendees, whose exemplary behavior has allowed this iconic celebration to remain orderly and with a safe environment, the official added.
“We want everyone to experience these festivities as they deserve, but we must also make responsible decisions to preserve the safety of all those present,” Acevedo said.
The public was urged to follow the municipality’s official social networks to stay informed in real time about any updates related to security measures and transfers.
The municipality thanked the public for their participation and for contributing to the success of the large-scale celebration. The measures, officials said, reflect the municipality’s commitment to the safety and tranquility of the thousands of attendees who have come together to enjoy music, art and tradition, marking a historic attendance during the celebration’s four days.
Festival goer hospitalized after fall from top of wall
The festival did not pass by completely without incident, as police reported several incidents during Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
Among the cases being investigated was an unfortunate incident reported at 12:10 a.m. on Sunday, at a wall on Norzagaray Street.
A 34-year-old male tourist from Pennsylvania was sitting on the edge, lost his balance and fell into the green area on Lucila Silva Street, in front of the “Tu Resuelve” business, in the La Perla neighborhood.
The victim was treated by paramedics from the State Emergency Medical Services and transported to the Río Piedras Medical Center. There he was treated by Dr. Fernando Roura, who diagnosed him with trauma to the face, head and back.
His condition was currently unknown at press time.
Another case was reported on Lucila Silva Street, also in the La Perla neighborhood, where the San Juan Municipal Police investigated a robbery. According to the complainant, a 35-year-old man, a resident of Bayamón, was walking in the area when several individuals attacked him. They then robbed him of his Glock pistol.
On San Francisco Street and Cristo Street in Old San Juan, meanwhile, a simple assault was investigated, where a resident of Guaynabo alleged that he was punched in the right eye.
In addition, several medical cases were reported, such as one on Cristo Street, where at around 11:44 p.m., a resident of Trujillo Alto said that while he was walking through the area an object, which he describes as possibly a stone, fell on his head.
He did not require transportation to any hospital.
Hours earlier, at 8:14 p.m., it was reported that at the intersection of Tetuán Street and Fortaleza Street, another tourist, from Brooklyn repored that while walking he fell into a manhole, suffering a laceration to his right knee and left thigh.
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