UpdatedFri, Apr 30, 2021 at 3:33 pm ET
Reply(1)
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. (Ishay Jerusalemite/Behadrei Haredim via AP)
HUDSON VALLEY, NY Two men from Monsey and a Kiryas Joel resident died in Israel in a massive crowd of holiday worshippers at Mount Meron, according to news reports.
The Associated Press reported mayhem broke out early Friday at a Jewish religious festival attended by tens of thousands of people in northern Israel, killing nearly 40 people and leaving some 150 hospitalized, medical officials said.
Glanz, speaking from the plane as he returned home from Israel, said he attends the Lag BaOmer bonfire at Mount Meron almost every year and is usually one of hundreds – as many as 1,000 – from Kiryas Joel who make the trip. This year, he said, just 50 to 60 people came from the Orange County village because of COVID-related travel restrictions in Israel.
Text and WhatsApp chains buzzed through the night as families sought information on their loved ones who were there.
“You just saw it unfold in real life,” said Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder, who is from Spring Valley. “I had flashbacks to 9/11,” he said, recalling how posters with pictures and information of missing people popped up throughout Manhattan.