Survivors recount the horror of the Mount Meron crush as Israel prepares for a day of national mourning
Israel has declared a nationwide day of mourning for Sunday in memory of at least 45 people who died during Lag B’Omer celebrations in Mount Meron.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli flags would be lowered to half-mast at buildings and bases across the country, and at embassies abroad.“Let us all unite with the grief of the families and in prayer for the peace of the wounded,” he tweeted.
“Blessed be the memory of those who perished.”
Most of those killed in the stampede were trampled to death. Children are understood to be among those who died.
Those who survived spoke of their horror at the chaos as throngs of people fell upon each other.
“People were screaming, ‘I can’t breathe, can’t breathe,’” one witness named Arik told Haaretz.
“This boy started yelling, ‘Dad, I can’t breathe.’ One person threw up on me and was choking.