Religious festival stampede in Israel kills 44, dozens more injured stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Public Security Minister Amir Ohana, who oversees the Israel Police, calls for an independent investigation of the Mount Meron stampede.
“A terrible disaster occurred last night. It is clear that an independent… investigation will be needed for all aspects related to the planning of the event, preparations, responsibilities, infrastructure, etc.,” says Ohana at Meron.
Police have launched an investigation and a Justice Ministry unit is probing possible police culpability in the deadly affair. I m proud to work at The Times of Israel
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Israeli medic: Nearly 40 people killed in stampede at religious festival
Updated Apr 29, 2021;
Posted Apr 29, 2021
Israeli security officials and rescuers carry a body of a victim who died during a Lag Ba Omer celebrations at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. (AP Photo)AP
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Jerusalem A stampede broke out early Friday at a Jewish religious festival attended by tens of thousands of people in northern Israel, killing nearly 40 people and leaving some 150 hospitalized, medical officials said.
The stampede, one of the deadliest civilian disasters in Israeli history, occurred during the celebrations of Lag BaOmer at Mount Meron. Tens of thousands of people, mostly ultra-Orthodox Jews, gather each year to honor Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a 2nd century sage and mystic who is buried there. Large crowds traditionally light bonfires, pray and dance as part of the celebrations.
April 30, 2021
A stampede at a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed at least 44 people and injured some 150 others early Friday, medical officials said. Courtesy photo
JERUSALEM A stampede at a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed at least 44 people and injured some 150 others early Friday, medical officials said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a great tragedy and one of the heaviest disasters to befall the state of Israel . He declared Sunday as a national day of mourning. Let us all united with the grief of the families and a prayer for the peace of the wounded, he wrote on Twitter after visiting the scene. He also promised a thorough, serious and in-depth investigation .