Over 100 people have been injured, many critically, and at least 28 have died in a stampede after stage collapse at a crowded Lag Ba'omer bonfire festival in northern Israel, local media reported citing emergency services.
“It happened in a split second; people just fell, trampling each other. It was a disaster,” one witness told Haaretz.
A spokesman for the Israeli military said there were at least 25 confirmed deaths, according to Jewish Press, while REuters reported at least 28 fatalities, citing a rescue service spokesman.
נורא לראות את הצפיפות שהיתה במעבר הצר, ואת הדוחק העצום שהוביל בסוף לאסון הקשה והמחריד. pic.twitter.com/1RE7FggFXt
— ישראל כהן (@Israelcohen911) April 29, 2021
Tens of thousands of Hassidic Jews had gathered at Mount Meron for the annual festivities at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the largest event in Israel since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
סרטון הזוי, דקות ספורות לפני האסון הקשה נראים האנשים מצטופפים במדרגות ונתקלים במחסום אנושי שעוצר אותם. מה גרם לדוחק להתפרץ בבת אחת ולציבור להימחץ? pic.twitter.com/4VBzW5jfNE
— ישראל כהן (@Israelcohen911) April 29, 2021
It was unclear how many were injured in the collapse and how many in the ensuing stampede. Helicopters were also used to evacuate the wounded.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW
0 Comments