Thousands came to celebrate the Jewish pilgrimage festival of Lag Baomer in Meron, Israel. Then a mass panic breaks out. At least 38 people died Thursday evening. A 25-year-old Swiss narrowly escaped the tragedy. “I left five minutes before the panic broke out,” he says to Blick.
He goes through the eye of the needle that killed at least 38 people. A flight of stairs so full that panic broke out. People fall, fall on top of each other. The 25-year-old Swiss remembers: “It was incredibly crowded – and then there was this staircase that was already extremely packed when I went.”
When he left the area where the festival was celebrated, he learned of the panic. “I saw the ambulances, more and more came. And then someone told me what had happened. “
“Many Swiss colleagues were there”
The buses that were supposed to bring more people onto the site were stopped immediately. “There were a lot of Swiss colleagues there. I called everyone – everyone is fine, “says the 25-year-old. His relatives also survived the mass panic.
“Every year thousands come to the festival, it is always full,” explains the Swiss. This time too, “many thousands” were there. At least 38 people died in Meron. More than 100 others were injured, dozens of them seriously. The 25-year-old is well aware of his happiness. In a low voice he also says: “I’m fine.” (euc)
Published: 04/30/2021, 26 minutes ago
Last updated: April 30, 2021, 4 minutes ago