A tragedy unfolded in Meron at the tziyon of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai after overcrowding and inadvertent stampeding killed many and injured 150 more.
The incident occurred at the hadlaka of the Toldos Aharon Rebbe. A mass casualty incident was declared as rescue workers attempted to reach more victims buried under the rubble.
Contrary to early reports, there was no collapse of bleachers or ramps that caused this incident. Instead, massive numbers of people crammed into a small area led to some falling over and, as the crowd surged forward, were rchm”l trampled.
According to the latest reports, 38 were tragically killed in the incident and at least 15o injured people have been transported to 2 hospitals in the area, with many described as being in critical condition.
All buses heading towards Meron have been ordered to turn around and helicopters have been brought in to assist in the transport of victims from the site. No new visitors are being allowed into the area.
CEO of United Hatzalah Eli Pollack who was called in to manage the on-site dispatch said: “This was a very tragic incident, and resulted in the loss of life. Dozens of United Hatzalah volunteers participated in performing CPR and providing medical treatment to dozens of people in varying states of injury. Some of the injured were transported to Ziv hospital in Tzefat and to the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya by United Hatzalah ambulance teams.”
Footage from the scene is graphic and will not be shown on TLS.
DEVELOPING.
Our collective hearts go out to acheinu bnei yisroel. How can we even begin to fathom the magnitude of this tragedy. Literally dozens of levayas over the next day in EY and then so many more almonas and yesomim amongst us. Can we imagine all those families all over EY as they pick up this story and are trying frantically to reach their father/husband/ brother only to learn the worse has happened. The extent of this tragedy is beyond comprehension..
We need zechus Hatorah! That’s the only protection we have…
Thank you for not posting the horrific pictures. Not needed to be seen.
May all the Cholim have a Refuah Shelaima.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/BszCgCXtsPo56mJPabXvMW.
This is a Tehilim chat just for saying Tehilim.
I know someone that was there firsthand. It was bleachers that collapsed. He saw it, and one of his friends broke his leg. A stampede did not just occur….
Thelim 1-5
The Israeli government invests tons of money with thousands of different projects. Maybe it is time to invest a small amount of money and add a few more exits from the actual Kever. Also they can widen the area a little bit more and we can have ladies on one side and the men on the other side and that can create a nice buffer zone in case of an emergency.
The Police closed off a certain exit, I am not sure why.
Also don’t forget that by the Levaya of Rabbi Vosner in Bnei Brak a lot of people got hurt eventhough that there wasn’t any bleachers . The Police made a mistake and they let in too many people.