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Israel Stampede- Dozens Crushed To Death At Major Religious Festival
Israel will have a day of national mourning on Sunday after a stampede at a religious festival killed at least 45 people and injured many more.
Zaki Heller, a spokesperson for the Magen David Adom rescue service, said 150 people had been hospitalised, with six in critical condition, after the crush in the country’s northeast.
He told Israel Army Radio that “no one had ever dreamed” something like this could happen. “In one moment, we went from a happy event to an immense tragedy,” he said.
The crush occurred at the base of Mount Meron, as tens of thousands of people gathered to celebrate Lag Ba’Omer, a holiday that in part commemorates second-century sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, whose tomb sits at the site.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, said it was “one of the worst disasters that has befallen the state of Israel” during a visit to the scene of the crush on Friday.
The stampede began when large numbers of people trying to exit the site thronged a narrow tunnel-like passage, according to witnesses and video footage.
People began falling on top of each other near the end of the walkway, as they descended slippery metal stairs, witnesses said.
Israel’s defence forces have confirmed 45 people died in the stampede at Mount Meron:
Zoe Tidman30 April 2021 13:37
UK Middle East minister on stampede
The UK’s Middle East and North Africa minister has tweeted about the ‘terrible incident’ at Mount Meron:
Zoe Tidman30 April 2021 13:28
What we know so far
The stampede in which at least 44 people have died at a Jewish religious festival in Israel is one of the worst civilian disasters in the country’s history.
Rory Sullivan takes a look at what we know about the crush so far:
Zoe Tidman30 April 2021 13:10
International figures offer condolonces
Condolonces from leaders and ambassadors from countries around the world have flooded in after the stampede which killed dozens and injured many more.
Zoe Tidman30 April 2021 12:50
UK ambassador to Israel on ‘terrible tragedy’
The UK’s ambassador to Israel said he is “deeply saddened by the terrible tragedy”.
Zoe Tidman30 April 2021 12:33
‘May their memories be a blessing’
Israel’s president has lit a candle in memory of the stampede’s victims:
Zoe Tidman30 April 2021 12:14
‘One of worst disasters to befall Israel’
Visiting the site of the crush on Friday, Israel’s prime minister said the deadly stampede was “one of the worst disasters that has befallen the state of Israel”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Mount Meron after stampede
(REUTERS)
Zoe Tidman30 April 2021 11:51
Images from aftermath of crush
Images have shown people surveying the site at Mount Meron and collecting items belonging to those involved in the stampede which happened overnight:
A police officer walks at the scene whree dozens killed in a crush at religous festival in Mount Meron
(Getty Images)
Israeli rescue teams collect items from the streets belonging to pilgrims who were at the scene of a stampede
(AFP via Getty Images)
People stand at the scene of a stampede that took place during a religious gathering overnight
(AFP via Getty Images)
Zoe Tidman30 April 2021 11:50
What was the event?
The stampede occurred during the celebrations of Lag BaOmer at Mount Meron, the first mass religious gathering to be held legally since Israel lifted nearly all restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Lag BaOmer draws tens of thousands of people, most of them ultra-Orthodox Jews, each year to honor Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a second-century sage and mystic who is believed to be buried there.
Large crowds traditionally light bonfires, pray and dance as part of the celebrations.
This year, media estimated the crowd at about 100,000 people.
Jewish worshippers sing and dance as they stand on tribunes at the Lag B’Omer event in Mount Meron
(REUTERS)
Zoe Tidman30 April 2021 11:38
Day of national mourning
Israel’s prime minister has announced Sunday will be a day of national mourning for the victims of the stampede.
Zoe Tidman30 April 2021 11:33
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