Ultra orthodox jewish men carry the body of one of the victims of the Meron tragedy during a funeral in Jerusalem on April 30, 2021. 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at amass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
JERUSALEM (AP) — The holiday of Lag BaOmer is one of the happiest days on the calendar for Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community — a time of mass celebrations in honor of a revered sage. But in a split second Friday, the festive gathering in northern Israel turned into one of the country’s worst-ever tragedies, with at least 45 people crushed to death and dozens injured in a stampede.
Israeli security officials and rescuers carry a body of a victim who died during a Lag Ba’Omer celebrations at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. More than 100 people were injured, dozens critically, in a stampede at a Jewish religious gathering in northern Israel attended by tens of thousands of people, Israel’s main rescue service said early Friday. (AP Photo)
Israeli security officials and rescuers carry bodies of victims who died during a Lag Ba’Omer celebrations at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. Israel’s national rescue service has officially confirmed some deaths at a stampede during a religious festival in northern Israel. (David Cohen/JINIPIX via AP)
Israeli security officials and rescuers stand around the bodies of victims who died during a Lag Ba’Omer celebrations at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. The director of an Israeli ambulance service has confirmed that nearly 40 people died in a stampede at a religious festival in northern Israel. (Ishay Jerusalemite/Behadrei Haredim via AP)
Israeli security officials and rescuers carry an Ultra-Orthodox Jew who was injured during the festival of Lag Ba’omer at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others early Friday, medical officials said, in one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo)
Ultra Orthodox Jews look at the scene where fatalities were reported among the thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews during Lag BaOmer festival at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others early Friday, medical officials said, in one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Ultra Orthodox Jews look at the scene where fatalities were reported among the thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews during Lag BaOmer festival at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others early Friday, medical officials said, in one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Ultra Orthodox Jews pray near the scene where fatalities were reported among the thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews during Lag BaOmer festival at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others early Friday, medical officials said, in one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Ultra Orthodox Jews make their way out of Mt. Meron, where fatalities were reported during Lag BaOmer festival at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at the religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others early Friday, medical officials said, in one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Broken glasses are seen at the site where fatalities were reported during Lag BaOmer festival at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at the religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others early Friday, medical officials said, in one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Israeli security officials and rescuers carry a body of a victim who died during a Lag BaOmer celebrations at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at the religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others early Friday, medical officials said, in one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Israeli security officials and rescuers carry the body of a victim who died during a Lag BaOmer celebration at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at the religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others early Friday, medical officials said, in one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Ultra Orthodox Jews look at leftover belongings at the site where fatalities were reported during Lag BaOmer festival at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at the religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others early Friday, medical officials said, in one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Skullcaps and broken glasses are seen at the site where fatalities were reported among the thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews during Lag BaOmer festival at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at the religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others early Friday, medical officials said, in one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Israeli security officials and rescuers carry the bodies of a victims who died during a Lag BaOmer celebrations at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured about 150 early Friday, medical officials said. It was one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
An ultra Orthodox Jewish man looks at leftover personal belongings at the site where fatalities were reported during Lag BaOmer festival at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at the religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others early Friday, medical officials said, in one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Ultra Orthodox Jews make their way out of Mt. Meron where fatalities were reported during Lag BaOmer festival at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at the religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured about 150 early Friday, medical officials said. It was one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Mourners carry the body of Shragee Gestetner, a Canadian singer who died during Lag BaOmer celebrations at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, at his funeral in Jerusalem on Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured about 150 early Friday, medical officials said. It was one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Mourners carry the body of Shragee Gestetner, a Canadian singer who died during Lag BaOmer celebrations at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, at his funeral in Jerusalem on Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured about 150 early Friday, medical officials said. It was one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
An ultra-Orthodox youth watches the funeral of Shragee Gestetner, a Canadian singer who died during Lag BaOmer celebrations at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, in Jerusalem on Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured about 150 early Friday, medical officials said. It was one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Mourners attend the funeral of Moshe Ben Shalom at a cemetery in Petah Tikva, Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. Moshe Ben Shalom and several others died and others were injured during a stampede at Lag BaOmer celebrations, a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Mt. Meron, northern Israel early Friday. It was one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the funeral in Petah Tikva, Israel, of Moshe Ben Shalom, who died during Lag BaOmer celebrations at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. A stampede at the religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in northern Israel killed dozens of people and injured others early Friday, medical officials said. It was one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews mourn during the funeral of Moshe Ben Shalom at a cemetery in Petah Tikva, Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. Moshe Ben Shalom and several others died and others were injured during a stampede at Lag BaOmer celebrations, a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Mt. Meron, northern Israel early Friday. It was one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews mourn during the funeral of Moshe Ben Shalom at a cemetery in Petah Tikva, Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. Moshe Ben Shalom and several others died and others were injured during a stampede at Lag BaOmer celebrations, a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Mt. Meron, northern Israel early Friday. It was one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews mourn during the funeral of Moshe Ben Shalom at a cemetery in Petah Tikva, Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021. Moshe Ben Shalom and several others died and others were injured during a stampede at Lag BaOmer celebrations, a religious festival attended by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Mt. Meron, northern Israel early Friday. It was one of the country’s deadliest civilian disasters (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
A lone hat at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Israeli rescue forces evacuate wounded people to the Ziv Medical center in Tzfat, after a mass fatality event during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel, on April 30, 2021. Photo by Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Hundreds of ultra orthodox jews attend the funeral of one of the victims of the Meron tragedy in Jerusalem, where 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at a mass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel, April 30, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Hundreds of ultra orthodox jews attend the funeral of one of the victims of the Meron tragedy in Jerusalem, where 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at a mass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel, April 30, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Hundreds of ultra orthodox jews attend the funeral of Elazar Mordechai Goldberg Yedler in Jerusalem, one of the victims of the Meron tragedy, where 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at a mass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel, April 30, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Hundreds of ultra orthodox jews attend the funeral of one of the victims of the Meron tragedy in Jerusalem, where 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at a mass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel, April 30, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Hundreds of ultra orthodox jews attend the funeral of one of the victims of the Meron tragedy in Jerusalem, where 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at a mass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel, April 30, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Hundreds of ultra orthodox jewish attend the funeral of Yehuda Lev Lubin in Jerusalem, one of the victims of the Meron tragedy, where 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at amass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel, April 30, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Hundreds of ultra orthodox jews attend the funeral of Elazar Mordechai Goldberg Yedler in Jerusalem, one of the victims of the Meron tragedy, where 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at a mass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel, April 30, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Hundreds of ultra orthodox jewish attend the funeral of Yehuda Lev Lubin in Jerusalem, one of the victims of the Meron tragedy, where 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at amass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel, April 30, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Hundreds of ultra orthodox jewish attend the funeral of Yehuda Lev Lubin in Jerusalem, one of the victims of the Meron tragedy, where 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at amass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel, April 30, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Hundreds of ultra orthodox jewish attend the funeral of Yehuda Lev Lubin in Jerusalem, one of the victims of the Meron tragedy, where 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at amass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel, April 30, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Ultra orthodox jewish men carry the body of one of the victims of the Meron tragedy during a funeral in Jerusalem on April 30, 2021. 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at amass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Ultra orthodox jewish men carry the body of one of the victims of the Meron tragedy during a funeral in Jerusalem on April 30, 2021. 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at amass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Ultra orthodox jewish men carry the body of one of the victims of the Meron tragedy during a funeral in Jerusalem on April 30, 2021. 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at amass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Ultra orthodox jewish men carry the body of one of the victims of the Meron tragedy during a funeral in Jerusalem on April 30, 2021. 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at amass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Ultra orthodox jewish men carry the body of one of the victims of the Meron tragedy during a funeral in Jerusalem on April 30, 2021. 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at amass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Ultra orthodox jewish men carry the body of one of the victims of the Meron tragedy during a funeral in Jerusalem on April 30, 2021. 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at amass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Hundreds of ultra orthodox jews attend the funeral of David Krois in Jerusalem, one of the victims of the Meron tragedy, where 45 people were crushed to death last night, and several more injured, at a mass event for the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, in Meron, Northern Israel, April 30, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
People outside the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv, where victims of Mount Meron crush were brought to be identified, April 30, 2021. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
People outside the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv, where victims of Mount Meron crush were brought to be identified, April 30, 2021. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Relatives of victims outside the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv, where victims of Mount Meron crush were brought to be identified, April 30, 2021. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
People outside the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv, where victims of Mount Meron crush were brought to be identified, April 30, 2021. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Western Wall and Holy Sites Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz arrives to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv, where victims of Mount Meron crush were brought to be identified, April 30, 2021. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Relatives of victims outside the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv, where victims of Mount Meron crush were brought to be identified, April 30, 2021. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***
Relatives of victims outside the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv, where victims of Mount Meron crush were brought to be identified, April 30, 2021. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90 *** Local Caption ***