Lag Ba’omer: Dozens killed, injured amid overcrowding on Mt. Meron

Dozens of people were injured and at least 28 were killed amid massive crowds at Meron as tens of thousands of people celebrated the festival of Lag Ba’omer at the site in northern Israel on Thursday night.Some 44 people were in critical condition and about 103 people in total were injured, as six helicopters were called to the scene to evacuate the injured, according to Magen David Adom. The Ziv Medical Center announced that it was receiving 150 injured patients.A field hospital was set up at the scene.”Difficult sights, people crushed without being able to escape. Some of the wounded are still being treated at the scene,” said MDA spokesman Zaki Heller, according to Maariv, The Jerusalem Post‘s sister publication.

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.”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.””A serious disaster on Mount Meron,” said Prime Minister Benjamin 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.”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 annual celebration at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was closed last year due to coronavirus restrictions. This year, police are expecting hundreds of thousands of people to visit the site by Friday night. 

Thousands of Israel Police and Border Police officers are deployed in the area to maintain order and ensure the safety of visitors to the site.

MDA forces, including hundreds of paramedics, doctors and first aiders with ambulances, are on standby. An 80-year-old man collapsed at the beginning of the celebrations. Some 52 people were required to undergo medical treatment on Thursday evening, Kan News reported.

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 is 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 will be placed throughout to allow the audience to watch the lighting from a comfortable and safe distance.