45 Dead, 150 Hurt at Lag B’Omer Event in Israel

Stand for Israel | April 30, 2021

ISRAEL-ACCIDENT-RELIGION — Emergency workers gather at the scene after dozens of people were killed and others injured after a grandstand collapsed in Meron, Israel, where tens of thousands of people were gathered to celebrate the festival of Lag Ba'omer at the site in northern Israel early on April 30, 2021. - Dozens of people were killed in a stampede at a Jewish pilgrimage site in the north of Israel on early on April 30, rescue services said. Tens of thousands of Jews were participating in the annual pilgrimage on Thursday, for the feast of Lag BaOmer. But after midnight, a grandstand collapsed, triggering scenes of panic. - Israel OUT (Photo by David COHEN / JINI PIX / AFP) / Israel OUT (Photo by DAVID COHEN/JINI PIX/AFP via Getty Images)

Tragedy struck the Holy Land during a joyous celebration Thursday night. The Times of Israel reports that 45 died – including children – and more than 150 people were injured at a Lag B’Omer gathering:

At least 45 people were crushed to death and more than 150 people hurt, including many in critical condition, in a stampede after midnight Thursday at a mass gathering to celebrate the Lag B’Omer holiday at Mount Meron, medics said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident “a terrible disaster,” promised a thorough investigation, and said that Sunday would be declared a day of national mourning.
Army Radio reported that children were among the dead and injured.
The event is believed to be the worst peacetime tragedy in modern Israeli history, with a death toll higher than the 44 who lost their lives in the 2010 Mount Carmel forest fire…

Please pray for the families of those who lost their lives, as well as for God’s healing hand on those injured.