The sight of a “Jesus Christ” figure on a tree has led to dozens of locals breaking the coronavirus lockdown restrictions to see it in person, just days before the Easter period.
Footage taken in the town of Magangue in Bolivar, Colombia, shows a large group gathering around the tree.
They can be seen taking photos of it as cameraman and journalist Rafael Rodriguez says: “Dozens of people are gathered here.
“They are here to see the figure of what they say or believe is the figure of Christ, they have forgotten about coronavirus and are currently here looking at this figure.”
What appears to be a figure like Jesus can be seen on the tree trunk. The branch formation even gives the impression the figure is hanging on the cross.
“It can clearly be seen, and everybody is praying and asking for Earth to be cured of this evil and for Magangue to be protected,” local shopkeeper Rafael Rodriguez told media outlet El Propio de Magangue.
Authorities are reportedly concerned the tree could become a pilgrimage site despite the coronavirus lockdown in the country.
The video also shows how people are ignoring social distancing rules, increasing the risk of infection.
Another journalist, Rodolfo Zambrano, said: “The figure appeared last Sunday night and people rushed there with candles and transformed the place into a pilgrimage site, which is concerning neighbours as a lot of people are going there.”
According to the latest figures from the Johns Hopkins University, Colombia has registered 1,579 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 46 deaths and 88 recoveries.
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Image: Newsflash/Rafael Rodriguez via @elpropiodemagangue
