Worshippers are stranded at the site, and the injured are still receiving medical treatment.
TZVI JOFFRE, JERUSALEM POST STAFF APRIL 30, 2021 09:34
Medics and rescue workers attend to the Lag Baomer event in Mount Meron, northern Israel, where fatalities were reported among the thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews gathered at the tomb of a 2nd-century sage for annual commemorations that include all-night prayer and dance, at Mount Meron, Israel Apr
At least 44 people were killed on Thursday night after a stampede broke out as massive crowds gathered at the Mount Meron religious bonfire-lighting ceremony for the holiday of Lag Ba’omer, in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a “heavy disaster.”
Rescue operations were underway Friday morning to evacuate the thousands of people who were still at the scene. The Transportation Ministry sent 300 empty buses to rescue the worshippers, but they were reportedly stuck in traffic due to the lack of police management of the event.
Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews had thronged to the Mount Meron tomb of 2nd-century sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai for annual Lag Baomer commemorations that include all-night prayer, mystical songs and dance. Most of the dead were said to be from the Toldot Aharon hassidic sect, based in Jerusalem.
Some 150 people were injured overnight, with six in critical condition, 18 in serious condition, eight in moderate condition, and 80 who were lightly injured, and over 250 of ambulances and six helicopters called to the scene to evacuate the injured, according to Magen David Adom (MDA).
A field hospital was set up at the scene. Israel Police and IDF soldiers worked to evacuate the injured and clear the crowds. Phone service at the scene crashed as thousands attempted to contact family members and emergency services.An investigation has been opened by Israel Police into the cause of the accident.
The ecstatic crowds had packed the Mount Meron slope in defiance of COVID-19 warnings by health officials. It was the largest public gathering since Israel started lifting coronavirus restrictions on the public weeks ago. Witnesses said people were asphyxiated or trampled in a passageway, starting at around 1 a.m., some going unnoticed until the PA system sounded an appeal to disperse.
Magen David Adom at Mt. Meron after dozens killed, injured in stampede on Lag Ba”omer, April 30, 2021 (Credit: Magen David Adom)
“We thought maybe there was a (bomb) alert over a suspicious package. No one imagined that this could happen here. Rejoicing became mourning, a great light became a deep darkness,” a pilgrim who gave his name as Yitzhak told Channel 12 TV.
“Rabbi Shimon used to say that he could absolve the world… If he didn’t manage to cancel this edict on the very day of his exaltation, then we need to do real soul-searching.”
Another eyewitness said he tried to get out of the area when the stampede broke out.
“We were at the entrance, we decided we wanted to get out and then the police blocked the gate, so whoever wanted to get out could not get out. In that hurry we fell on each other, I thought I was going to die,” said an eyewitness to Maariv. “I saw people dead next to me.”
United Hatzalah CEO Eli Pollack told The Jerusalem Post that the incident occurred when large crowds of people streamed into a closed-in complex, leading to dozens of people being crushed against fences. While all the physically injured people have since been evacuated from the scene, many people requiring psychological aid, including medical volunteers, are still at the scene and are receiving help.
On Friday morning, many mental health and psychological response centers throughout the country initiated a campaign of public awareness to their services. Additionally, social services professionals treated dozens of individuals overnight who suffered from anxiety, including many children who got separated from their parents in the chaos.
Pollack added that people had come to the celebrations excited that they were finally able to celebrate like they used to after a year handling the coronavirus outbreak, and stressed how the great joy was suddenly broken by the disaster.
“This is one of the worst tragedies that I have ever experienced. I have not seen anything like this since I entered into the field of emergency medicine back in 2000,” said Vice President of the Volunteer Department of United Hatzalah Lazar Hyman.
Shortly after the incident, Israel Police closed traffic into the area and began evacuating visitors from the site. The IDF announced that it had sent soldiers from the rescue brigade and Israel Air Force helicopters to help at the scene.
“A serious disaster on Mount Meron,” said Netanyahu in response to the incident. “We are all praying for the recovery of the injured. I ask to strengthen the rescue forces operating in the area.”
“With great anxiety I follow the reports from Meron and pray for the healing of the wounded,” tweeted President Reuven Rivlin.
“The heart breaks on this terribole morning with the knowledge of dozens of fatalities at an event that was supposed to be a celebration,” Meretz MK Esawi Frej tweeted on Friday morning.
“The time for lessons will come, but today is a day of mourning,” he added, sending his condolences to the families.
“An unbearable disaster at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai,” said Yamina head Naftali Bennett. “The entire nation of Israel is united in prayer for the victims.”
“I follow with concern and pain and anxiety the terrible disaster that occurred during the celebration at Meron,” said Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid on Facebook. “The whole of Israel is now praying for the healing of the injured. This is a difficult and sad night.”
“The heart grieves for the terrible catastrophe that occurred in Meron last night,” said Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said, adding that he sends his support to the rescue and security services still working at the scene.
The annual celebration at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was closed last year due to coronavirus restrictions. This year, police were expecting hundreds of thousands of people to visit the site by Friday night.
Thousands of Israel Police and Border Police officers were deployed in the area to maintain order and ensure the safety of visitors to the site.
Hundreds of worshipers refused to leave the site and clashed with police in an attempt to enter the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai after the incident, according to KAN news.
“It’s just blocked, I want to pray the morning prayers. Look at this. Look what they’re doing to Jews,” said one worshiper who was trying to enter the tomb despite the disaster in which dozens were killed. The worshiper insisted that the celebration should continue nonetheless, saying “we need to pray by Rabbi Shimon, we need the celebration of Rabbi Shimon.”
Bonfires are lit at Meron and throughout Israel as the anniversary of Bar Yochai’s death is celebrated as a festival. In accordance with Health Ministry regulations and in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the number of people allowed in the actual complex to attend the bonfire lighting was supposed to be limited to 10,000 people.
However, the entire mountain where the grave is situated is open to the general public, like any tourist site, and huge screens were placed throughout to allow the audience to watch the lighting from a comfortable and safe distance.
The following are emergency hotline numbers at hospitals through the Northern region of Israel:
Ziv Medical Center in Safed – 1255161
Baruch Padeh Medical Center in Poriya, near Tiberias – 1255162
The Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya – 1255141
Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa – 1255144
@ Sebastien Zorn:
Do not know! I doubt it however.
That said however after the disaster at Mount Meron, you would think those told not to proceed to hold the event would have enough sense to take heed! I guess it is more important to celebrate a holiday let people get killed and maimed.
@ Bear Klein:
Was this the first time that an unapproved event went ahead anyway?
@ Sebastien Zorn:
I listen to a police spokesman on Israeli TV yesterday, explain that the Police provided a hand delivered letter saying the event on Shavout was not approved and not to proceed. This letter was provided to all the relevant parties but it proceeded and now 2 are dead and many injured.
No sabotage just some people having no sense thus proceeding to hold another dangerous so soon after Meron.
@ Sebastien Zorn:
That is a disturbing thought…
Say, is anybody else besides me starting to get suspicious of the timing of these unprecedented terrible accidents causing mass casualties to Jews during religious events both in relation to each other and everything else going on? And, considering all the recent sabotage in Iran that they couldn’t pin on anybody, if Iran were behind it, mightn’t the fact that it is an apparent accident make it the perfect revenge from their point of view? What’s the expression, “plausible deniability?” In today’s paper:
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/05/17/2-dead-132-injured-in-jerusalem-as-synagogue-bleacher-collapses/
Manderlblit’s decision to instantaneously begin pursuing charges of “criminal negligence” against the police speaks volumes to why he should not occupy such a position of authority. His statement brings to mind images of a witch hunt complete with pre-drawn conclusions to craft his investigation towards a sanctioned public stoning rather than an honest inquiry seeking to resolve the possibility of serious infractions complete with significant remedies which might avoid a recurrence of this terrible moment. Manderlblit’s actions in this moment actually exemplify his sense of public service as being somewhat warped as was made painfully evident in his recent role in the manufactured charges and invented crimes against Netanyahu to pacify his Leftist mob associates. It really is better to let the facts lead to conclusions rather than determining the conclusions to choose the facts investigated. One might conclude that Manderblit is trying to impress for a position on the FBI with such shenanigans. He is a sad example as a public servant as he exemplifies a man who allows himself to be led to a task by public anger rather than withstanding the pressures of a public wave of emotion and seeking out what is in the public’s interest – namely justice. It is not a difficult task to discern that his service is not intended for the public’s interest but rather in his own interest. As such, the state would be much better served with his services being employed in the private market rather than as an empowered public servant with the authority that he wields so recklessly.
@ Bear Klein:
If this report is not just a propaganda piece to achieve a political goal, it calls even more soundly for an independent investigation into the failures and causes that led to these terrible deaths. I also do not believe that the police should be allowed to conduct this investigation on their own. Such an investigation would really serve no purpose as the police involvement would cloud the public perception. With the early reports of how the police were possibly involved in the causation of this tragedy, expectations of self serving judgements would reasonably be expected. Such an investigation would poorly serve all parties and its conclusions would lack any sense of gravitas among the masses it would be intended to pacify with just conclusions.
Reader, I agree that all of the circumstances that you describe contributed to the disaster. However, I also think that police mismanagement and misconduct may also have made a bad situation worse. All of these possible contributing factors should be investigated.
This is a quotation from an article about the disaster in Israel Hayom. I think it presents both sides of the blame-game issue.
Israel Hayom also reports that Netanyahu was booed when he visited the scene of the tragedy shortly after it occurred. Some people threw rocks and bottles at him, and called out, “Netanyahu, you did this.”
Despite his extremist associations, Itamar Ben-Gvir’s suggestion that an independent commission of inquiry be established to investigate the disaster is a good one. He is right that the police cannot be expected to conduct an unbiased investigation of themselves. I hope the mainstream political parties and MKs support this proposal.
@ peloni1986:
I agree.
What I am trying to make clear is before there starts the search for the guilty party that there were many factors here coming into play:
1) the mood of the people after a year-long lockdown;
2) the incredible overcrowding;
3) the unsafe, slippery walks;
4) the inability of the police to control the enormous crowds for whatever reason;
5) the “mob” mentality;
6) etc., etc.
@ Reader:
Yes, that may be the case. But we should know if it is. I am not advocating these comments as fact any more than Ben-Gavir was, just that we find out what occurred. We are too close in time to the event and its tragic consequence will fill many with anger, but we must find out what caused this senseless loss of life. If it was the number of police, the metal flooring…whatever it was, it was far too great a tragedy to leave without answers to the many questions that are coming to light. For the public good as well as for the good of the police themselves, these answers must be obtained by an independent group and not the police – preferably some non-political review, though that is unlikely.
I think the following article puts the disaster at Mt. Meron in the proper context.
full article at https://www.debka.com/no-state-inquiry-needed-for-the-meron-tragedy-the-site-was-historically-prone-to-disaster/
The JP also published an article about comments made by the State Comptroller, who says that this was “accident waiting to happen” because of poor maintenance of the site and lack of planning for crowd control.
From another Jerusalem Post article on the same subject:
From this article: Another eyewitness said he tried to get out of the area when the stampede broke out.
@ Reader: Reader, several eye-witnesses, including the deputy mayor of Jerusalem, did in fact report that people inside the tunnel were screaming “we are dying! we have no air! Letus out! The deputy mayor said that the police kept the tunnel exit closed for five minutes after these screams were heard. He personally asked the police to let the victims out of the enclosed space when he heard these cries, but the police ignored him. Shocking.
@ peloni1986:
There were several exits and the policemen were trying to regulate the speed at which the people exited.
There was a bad accident in the middle of one of the walks with some people slipping and falling.
I tend to think that if the police weren’t there, the crowd would move faster and even more people would get run over and crushed.
@ Reader:
I forgot, I saw a couple of videos on the TOI earlier but they are short and just keep repeating.
It seems that pieces of the partition were falling from above (from a parallel walk?)
https://www.timesofisrael.com/dozens-said-hurt-as-stand-collapses-at-mass-lag-bomer-gathering-in-mount-meron/
Scroll down for the first videos from the disaster.
@ Adam Dalgliesh:
Thanks for this update, Adam. Such a terrible calamity. I had heard early reports to this effect, but wasn’t certain if it had been confirmed as more than rumor. Seems it may have been. It is a great tragedy – heartbreaking to read of the senseless loss of life among such joyful celebrations. Such claims that it was due to a logistical error by the authorities makes the tragedy even more significant.
I believe the MK you are referencing is Itamar Ben-Gavir. His statement is the perfectly reasoned and well balanced response to such a significantly senseless tragedy possibly caused by state authorities whose presence was clearly intended to prevent any such mayhem as came about, and which, however, may have come about due to their presence. Some answers must be forthcoming regarding the cause of this tragic event and why, even if the police did not cause the tragedy, why they were unable to mitigate the loss of life. Very sad…
@ Adam Dalgliesh:
I would think that the participants were at least as responsible because after several people slipped and fell, did any one scream STOP!!! YOU ARE CRUSHING PEOPLE TO DEATH!!! or the thousands of people just pushed ahead “while hearing the desperate screams”?
Let’s wait until there are pics from someone’s cellphone showing who did what and to whom (somehow I doubt that they will emerge because everyone would rather blame the police – but maybe I am wrong).
Also, having a metal-covered walk is a big safety issue in the first place, and 5,000 police were too few to control 100,000 participants.
Evidence has emerged that the police caused the tragedy by blocking the exit that the worshippers had to go through in order to leave the tunnel. Several eye witnesses reported this. One of these witnesses is the deputy mayor of Jerusalem, who must be regarded as a serious eye-witness. According to these witnesses, the police continued to block the tunnel exit for about five minutes after the first desperate screams were heard from the people in the tunnel. When they finally opened the exit, it was too late to save many of the victims, who had by this time stampeded and crushed each other.
An MK from the Labor Party, I can’t remember her name, denounced the police’s conduct and demanded a thorough investigation. This has to be taken seriously as well, since the Labor party has never been on friendly terms with the haredim. So a Labor MK would have no partisan motive for suspecting the police of grave misconduct, and saying so in public.
The police have announced that they do intend to conduct a very thorough investigation of the incident, using the many videocameras that were near to the tunnel. They have also said that they will investigate the possibly that there was police misconduct that may have contributed to the incident.
The MK representing the pro-Kahanist Otzma Yehudit party (I have forgotten his name, too) said he was not prepared to blame the police before the incident was thoroughly investigated. However, he added that he thought an independent commission should be appointed by the Knesset to investigate this tragic incident, because the police cannot be trusted to investigate themselves.