Israel: Dozens feared dead as stand collapses at Lag B'Omer religious gathering

Authorities fear mass casualties after a grandstand collapsed at a large gathering to celebrate the Lag B'Omer Jewish festival at Mount Meron.

Dozens of people are feared dead in the northern Israeli town of Meron after a grandstand collapsed at a large public gathering to celebrate the Lag B'Omer Jewish festival.

It is not immediately clear what parts of the grandstand collapsed.

Emergency services and ambulances "are treating dozens of injured" including "20 patients in a critical state," Zaki Heller, spokesperson for Magen David Adom, the Israeli emergency service, said in a statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a "heavy disaster" and added: "We are all praying for the wellbeing of the casualties."

President Reuven Rivlin also tweeted that he was following the reports from Meron and praying for the recovery of the injured.

Gathering held despite COVID risk

The annual pilgrimage for the feast of Lag B'Omer is staged in Meron around the reputed tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a second century Talmudic sage.

Last year, the event was called off due to restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

This year's gathering had been held in defiance of health officials who had worries that crowding could pose a COVID-19 risk.

Authorities had authorized 10,000 people to gather at the site of the tomb but organizers said more than 650 busses had been chartered from across the country, bringing 30,000 pilgrims to Meron.

About 5,000 police were deployed to secure the event, with the police urging pilgrims to avoid incidents during the feast when bonfires are lit.

The annual pilgrimage for the feast of Lag B'Omer is staged in Meron around the reputed tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a second century Talmudic sage