Updated: 1 May 2021, 15:14
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RELIGIOUS leaders pressured organisers not to limit numbers at a festival in Israel before 45 people were crushed to death, say shock reports.
Dozens died when panicked crowds funnelled into a tiny death trap tunnel at a high-profile Jewish festival late on Thursday night.
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People attempting to escape after the grandstand reportedly collapsedCredit: Reuters
Now it s been been suggested religious leaders put pressure NOT to limit numbers - as it emerged more than 100,000 people eventually turned up.
Reports had previously warned large numbers posed a danger to human life and suggested that capacity should be capped at 15,000.
1290 A boy lights candles during a vigil for the people killed and injured in a stampede at an ultra-Orthodox Jewish festival on the slopes of Israels Mount Meron, in Jerusalem May 1, 2021. REUTERS
Jerusalem, May 2
At least 10 children and teens younger than 18 were among 45 ultra-Orthodox Jews killed in a stampede at a religious festival in northern Israel, according to a partial list of names published Saturday as the identification of victims in Israel s deadliest civilian disaster continued.
Four Americans, a Canadian and a man from Argentina were also among those killed. Two families each lost two children. The youngest victim was nine years old.
BBC News
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media caption Yedidya, to my great sorrow, did not survive
A national day of mourning is being held in Israel after a crush at a Jewish festival early on Friday that killed 45 men and boys.
Some 150 people were injured at the Lag B Omer festival, near Mount Meron in northern Israel, when they became trapped in an overcrowded passageway.
Up to 100,000 mostly ultra-Orthodox Jews were present at the gathering.
All of the victims have now been identified. There are 12 teenagers and children among them.
Flags on all public buildings have been lowered to half-mast, and concerts and sports events postponed.
Who is Responsible For The Deadly Stampede in Israel? Published May 2nd, 2021 - 05:01 GMT
People light candles during a vigil in Habima Square in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on May 1, 2021,in the aftermath of a deadly stampede in a northern Jewish pilgrimage town. The the overnight disaster killed at least 45 people at an Orthodox Jewish pilgrimage site, one of the nation s worst peacetime disasters. JACK GUEZ / AFP
Highlights
In total, 45 people were killed as worshippers tripped and fell on a packed staircase at Mount Meron on Thursday.
A British man has today been named as among the victims of a stampede at a Jewish pilgrimage site that tragically left 45 people dead after hundreds of worshippers became trapped in an overcrowded passageway in Israel.