Benjamin Netanyahu calls stampede one of Israel's 'worst disasters'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday visited the site of a deadly stampede at a religious festival in the country's north and said it was "one of the worst disasters that has befallen the state of Israel”.

Netanyahu also offered condolences to the families of the victims and said Sunday would be a day of national mourning.

The stampede occurred during the celebrations of Lag BaOmer at Mount Meron, the first mass religious gathering to be held legally since Israel lifted nearly all restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews had attended the celebration and medical officials said at least 44 people were killed and about 150 injured in the stampede.

The stampede began when large numbers of people thronged a narrow tunnel-like passage during the event, according to witnesses and video footage.

People began falling on top of each other near the end of the walkway, as they descended slippery metal stairs, witnesses said.

"We will conduct a thorough, serious and in-depth investigation to ensure that such a disaster does not reoccur," said Netanyahu during his visit.

The Justice Ministry said Friday morning that the police's internal investigations department was launching a probe into possible criminal misconduct by officers.

Lag BaOmer draws tens of thousands of people, most of them ultra-Orthodox Jews, each year to honor Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a 2nd century sage and mystic who is buried there.

Large crowds traditionally light bonfires, pray and dance as part of the celebrations.

This year, media estimated the crowd at about 100,000 people.

"I would like to declare a national day of mourning on Sunday. Let us all unite with the grief of the families and a prayer for the recovery of the wounded," said Netanyahu.

Image credit: The Associated Press