AdvertisementAt least 44 Orthodox Jewish worshippers have been killed and many more critically hurt in a stampede at a Lag B'Omer festival at Mount Meron in one of Israel's deadliest peace-time disasters. The graveside area is typically limited to 10,000 peopleWhat is Lag B'Omer, the festival where dozens where crushed to death? Followers of Jewish mysticism also observe Lag B'Omer as the day of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's eventual death. The rabbi's followers traditionally light bonfires at Mount Meron, where his tomb is located, to symbolise the spiritual light that can be found within the teachings of the Torah. The army said its medical teams and 'a number of Israeli Air Force helicopters with medical teams... are assisting in the mass casualty incident in Mount Meron.'

Source: Daily Mail April 29, 2021 23:17 UTC