Israel religious festival crush kills 45

By Kara Fox, Nick Thompson, Meg Wagner, Melissa Mahtani and Niamh Kennedy, CNN

Updated 3:53 p.m. ET, April 30, 2021
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3:52 p.m. ET, April 30, 2021

Dozens of people were killed in a crush in Israel today. Here's what we know.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men stand next to covered bodies after dozens of people were killed and others injured during Lag Ba'omer celebrations at Mount Meron on April 30.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men stand next to covered bodies after dozens of people were killed and others injured during Lag Ba'omer celebrations at Mount Meron on April 30. David Cohen/Jini Pix/AFP/Getty Images

A stampede at a religious festival is Israel this morning killed at least 45 people and left some 150 others injured.

Israeli investigators are examining exactly how the crush happened at Israel's Mount Meron. In the meantime, here's what we know so far:

  • What happened: A stampede broke out at Israel's Mount Meron, killing at least 45 people. Worshipers had gathered at the mountain to mark the Lag B'Omer holiday, an annual event where participants sing, dance and light fires in homage to second-century sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai at his burial site.
  • Americans among the dead and injured: A State Department spokesperson said "multiple" US citizens were among those killed and injured in the stampede. Secretary of State Tony Blinken spoke with his Israeli counterpart on Friday to offer his condolences on the deadly incident.
  • Event allowed during Covid-19 pandemic: Israel's health ministry had urged people not to attend the festival, warning of the risk of another coronavirus outbreak. However, case numbers have been low, and Israel has already fully vaccinated more than 58% of its population, so the event was allowed to proceed. Dov Maisel, vice president of operations at the volunteer-based emergency organization United Hatzalah, told CNN that around 100,000 people were in attendance.
3:24 p.m. ET, April 30, 2021

Multiple US citizens among those killed and injured in stampede, State Department says

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

Multiple US citizens were among those killed and injured at a religious festival in Israel overnight, a State Department spokesperson said Friday.

"We can confirm that multiple U.S. citizens were among the casualties," the spokesperson said, but did not provide details on numbers of wounded or how many were killed. 

“The U.S. Embassy is working with local authorities to verify whether any additional U.S. citizens were affected, and is providing all possible consular support to affected U.S. citizens and their loved ones,” the spokesperson added.

“Out of respect for the families at this difficult time, we have no further comment,” the spokesperson said.“We offer our sincerest condolences to the families and loved ones of those injured and who perished in the tragedy at Mt. Meron during the Lag Ba’omer commemorations,” they said.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken spoke with his Israeli counterpart on Friday to offer his condolences on the deadly incident at the religious festival at Mount Meron.

Blinken “conveyed his heartfelt condolences for the lives lost, and he extended his wishes for those injured to recover quickly,” a State Department readout said. “The Secretary noted that the United States stands ready to assist Israel during this difficult time.”

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke to Israel’s Ambassador to the US about the tragedy as well.

1:58 p.m. ET, April 30, 2021

US Senate majority leader says he's trying to figure out if any of the victims were American

From CNN's Sarah Fortinsky

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during a press conference in New York City on April 30.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during a press conference in New York City on April 30. Pool/WABC

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer addressed the tragic situation in Northern Israel saying they're trying to figure out if any New Yorkers or Americans were among the confirmed dead in the massive stampede yesterday. 

"It was horrible to see so many people die, and right now we're trying to find out, obviously, when any loss of human life, we feel it, but we're trying to find out if any are New Yorkers or Americans. We don't know the answer to that yet," Schumer said at a news conference in New York Friday morning.

12:44 p.m. ET, April 30, 2021

Secretary of state told Israeli counterpart US "stands ready to assist Israel during this difficult time"

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

US Secretary of State Tony Blinken spoke with his Israeli counterpart on Friday to offer his condolences on the deadly incident at the religious festival at Mount Meron.

Blinken “conveyed his heartfelt condolences for the lives lost, and he extended his wishes for those injured to recover quickly,” a State Department readout said. “The Secretary noted that the United States stands ready to assist Israel during this difficult time.”

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke to Israel’s ambassador to the US about the tragedy as well.

12:55 p.m. ET, April 30, 2021

President Biden calls deadly Israel crush "heartbreaking"

From CNN's Betsy Klein

A police officer walks at the scene in Mount Meron on April 30 in Meron, Israel.
A police officer walks at the scene in Mount Meron on April 30 in Meron, Israel. Amir Levy/Getty Images

President Joe Biden offered condolences to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Friday after a crush during a religious celebration at Mount Meron killed at least 45 worshippers Friday.

“The loss of life among worshipers practicing their faith is heartbreaking. I have instructed my team to offer our assistance to the government and people of Israel as they respond to the disaster and care for the wounded,” Biden said in a statement.
10:10 a.m. ET, April 30, 2021

What we know so far about the Mount Meron stampede

A person cries at a cemetery in Bnei Brak, Israel, on April 30 at the funeral for one of the victims of the Lag B'Omer stampede.
A person cries at a cemetery in Bnei Brak, Israel, on April 30 at the funeral for one of the victims of the Lag B'Omer stampede. Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP/Getty Images

A crush during a a religious celebration at Israel's Mount Meron killed dozens of people Friday and injured more than 100 others.

If you're just reading in now, here's what we know about the deadly crush:

  • At least 45 dead during religious celebration: After a stampede broke out at Israel's Mount Meron, at least 45 people were killed and some 150 others were injured. Worshipers had gathered at the mountain to mark the Lag B'Omer holiday, an annual event where participants sing, dance and light fires in homage to second-century sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai at his burial site.
  • An investigation is ongoing: Israeli investigators are examining exactly how the crush happened at the mountain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a "huge disaster," while paramedics described chaotic scenes of teams administering CPR en masse to people, including children, lying breathless on the ground.
  • Event allowed during Covid-19 pandemic: Israel's health ministry had urged people not to attend the festival, warning of the risk of another coronavirus outbreak. However, case numbers have been low, and Israel has already fully vaccinated more than 58% of its population, so the event was allowed to proceed. Dov Maisel, vice president of operations of the volunteer-based emergency organization United Hatzalah, told CNN that around 100,000 people were in attendance.

8:47 a.m. ET, April 30, 2021

Eyewitnesses criticize the police response to chaos at Mount Meron

From Hadas Gold at Mount Meron and Abeer Salman in Jerusalem

Jewish worshipers lingered at the holy site of Mount Meron on Friday trying to understand how the disaster unfolded. 

The scene of the disaster is a stadium-style seating area used by Orthodox worshipers to light bonfires.

The ramp leading down to the steps remains rather slippery following reports of water being sprayed at fleeing worshipers.

A middle railing stretching down the ramp was left completely bent following the stampede.

Eyewitness accounts from the night before are also helping to piece together the frenzy that ensued. 

"The passageway [where people were walking] was flowing fine, but suddenly everything stopped. Everyone was crammed on top of each other and no one understood why. I raised my head and saw policemen blocking the passageway. We shouted 'people are dying in there,'" a festival-goer named Zohar told Israel's Channel 12 news.

"People lost the color in their faces," Zohar said. "Then, bodies began falling at my feet. I tried to call for help, and slowly rescue forces arrived. There were some people who [rescuers] did not even try to revive. People were lying on my feet, shouting 'Help me.'"

Another eyewitness named Tami was also critical of the police response.

“I was standing on the roof top there. They were spraying water because it was very hot, then they started slipping over, ten people slipping, then another ten, and another ten. I am still shocked and traumatised by it. I can't believe what I saw. They tried to move, to run away. They tried to get some space to breathe, but the police wouldn’t let them," Tami told Kan News.

"I know the police were doing their job, and didn't realize what was happening behind them, but in the end, the result was unbelievable."

8:44 a.m. ET, April 30, 2021

Mount Meron stampede is "one of the worst disasters" in Israeli history, prime minister says

From CNN's Andrew Carey

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, visits the site of the Lag B'Omer festival in Meron, Israel, on April 30.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, visits the site of the Lag B'Omer festival in Meron, Israel, on April 30. Ronen Zvulun/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

The Mount Meron stampede is "one of the worst disasters that Israel has experienced" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a visit to the site.

"Our hearts are with the families and the wounded," he added, according to a specially recorded video for his Facebook page.

The stampede took place during celebrations for the religious festival of Lag B'Omer in the early hours of Friday and has so far claimed the lives of 45 people, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

“There were heart-breaking scenes here,” Netanyahu said, referencing distressing images of “people who were crushed to death, including children.”

A “large portion” of the victims have still not been identified, Netanyahu said, urging people to “desist from spreading rumors on social media because this will break the families’ hearts.”

Netanyahu declared this coming Sunday “as a day of national mourning" and asked people to “come together for the sake of the families and pray for the well-being of the wounded. 

The Israeli authorities had advised participants not to make the annual pilgrimage to the town of Meron this year in light of Covid-19 risks. Netanyahu said a “thorough investigation” would be conducted to “ensure a disaster like this does not happen again. 

The prime minister commended the efforts of the “very fast police rescue and operation” adding that we “owe them great thanks for preventing a much bigger disaster.”

7:49 a.m. ET, April 30, 2021

Photos from the festival on Mount Meron show jubilant scenes before the event turned deadly

Tens of thousands of people gathered on Mount Meron on Thursday for Lag B'Omer, an annual Jewish religious festival marking the anniversary of the death of an influential rabbi who is believed to be buried there.

But the celebration turned into tragedy early on Friday, when at least 45 people were killed in a crush.

Here's a look at some of the scenes from Mount Meron from the last 24 hours:

Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather at the site where Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai is thought to be buried at Mount Meron in northern Israel on Thursday night.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather at the site where Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai is thought to be buried at Mount Meron in northern Israel on Thursday night. Jalaa Marey/AFP/Getty Images

A rabbi lights a bonfire at the grave site of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Up to 100,000 Jews are estimated to have attended last night's event.
A rabbi lights a bonfire at the grave site of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Up to 100,000 Jews are estimated to have attended last night's event. Jalaa Marey/AFP/Getty Images

Dozens were killed during a crush at the event; in this photo, paramedics and worshipers stand next to covered bodies in the wake of the disaster.
Dozens were killed during a crush at the event; in this photo, paramedics and worshipers stand next to covered bodies in the wake of the disaster. David Cohen/JINI PIX/AFP/Getty Images

On Friday, rescuers worked to transport the bodies of those who died in the disaster.
On Friday, rescuers worked to transport the bodies of those who died in the disaster. Sebastian Scheiner/AP

Broken glasses are seen at the site of the tragedy on Friday.
Broken glasses are seen at the site of the tragedy on Friday. Sebastian Scheiner/AP

A family surveys the scene of the tragedy at Mount Meron on Friday.
A family surveys the scene of the tragedy at Mount Meron on Friday. Freddy Wheeler/CNN