Tragedy in Israel: at least 38 killed in pilgrimage stampede

MERON.- Stampede on Jewish pilgrimage to northern Israel leaves at least 38 dead, 65 injured, several of them “in critical condition”, as reported this evening by the Haaretz and Yedioth Aharonot newspapers.

“Magen David Adom (MDA, Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross) emergency services and ambulances are treating dozens of injured,” organization spokesman Zaki Heller said in a statement.

Twitter images show hundreds of pilgrims rushing to enter an area of ​​the event.

Tens of thousands of people took part in the annual pilgrimage to northern Israel from Thursday to Friday evening, during the largest public event in the country since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The pilgrimage, which celebrates the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer, takes place in Meron, around the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yojai, a 2nd century Talmudist who is credited with writing the Zohar, a central work of Jewish mysticism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rj2cvP3JwY

Lag Baomer is a joyous holiday commemorating the end of a devastating epidemic among the students of a Talmudic school during this time.

The authorities had authorized the presence of 10,000 people inside the tomb, But, according to the organizers, more than 650 buses have been chartered across the country, which means at least 30,000 people. The local press estimated the influx at 100,000 people.

But after midnight, the stands collapsed, causing panic and calls for emergency responders who deployed helicopters to evacuate the injured.

The Israeli press showed the image of a dozen dead bodies lined up in plastic bags surrounded by rescuers on an asphalt track.

Agencia AFP

THE NATION