Israeli Emergency Services Respond To A Bleacher Collapse At A Synagogue Described As A “Mass Casualty Event”

Israeli emergency services have responded to what they described as a “mass casualty event” after bleachers at an Orthodox synagogue that was currently under construction collapsed in the West Bank settlement of Giv’at Ze’ev northwest of Jerusalem.

According to CNN, a video of the collapse was broadcast on Israeli television showing the exact moment dozens of worshippers fell crashing to the ground when the crowded bleachers collapsed.

The head of police for Jerusalem district told Israeli reporters that two people were confirmed dead and more than 15o were injured.

A “considerable number of worshippers were injured,” police officials said. A firefighter on the scene told Israel’s Channel 13 that many worshippers still appear to be trapped under the bleachers.

This bleacher collapse comes two weeks after 45 people were killed during a stampede that occurred at a religious festival at Israel’s Mount Meron, where worshipers had gathered to mark the Lag B’Omer holiday.

After Mt. Meron, another disaster hits the Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel. Tonight in Giva't Zeev during prayers for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot bleachers collapse. 2 critically injured; 6 seriously. Numbers could rise; tens injured. pic.twitter.com/u4k0UneOXX

— Louis Fishman لوي فيشمان לואי פישמן (@Istanbultelaviv) May 16, 2021