Dozens killed in Israel stampede at religious festival
Dozens of people have been killed in a stampede at a Jewish pilgrimage site in northern Israel late on Thursday night. At least 44 people were crushed to death at an overcrowded religious bonfire festival and another 65 people are injured, including six in critical condition who have been evacuated to hospital, according to Israeli emergency service Magen David Adom, which said a further 18 are in serious condition.
The annual event, takes place at the foot of Mount Meron to celebrate the Jewish holiday Lag BaOmer, honouring second-century sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai who is buried there.Tens of thousands reportedly attended, making it the largest event in Israel since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Early reports suggested a structure at the site collapsed, but MDA officials later said it was the result of a stampede. Police sources said that it started after some attendees slipped on some steps, causing dozens more to fall. Dozens more had been wounded at the Lag B’Omer festival, at the foot of Mount Meron, The national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) said.
Videos posted on social media showed chaotic scenes as Ultra-Orthodox men clambered through gaps in sheets of torn corrugated iron to escape the crush. Bodies lay on stretchers in a corridor, covered in foil blankets.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a “heavy disaster” and said he was praying for the casualties.
“MDA is fighting for the lives of dozens wounded, and will not give up until the last victim is evacuated,” a tweet read.
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the private bonfires were banned last year at Mount Meron. But Israel’s rapid Covid-19 vaccination programme that has seen more than 54 percent of the population fully vaccinated, lockdown measures were eased this year.
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