ISRAEL – First responders were on scene of a collapsed structure that took place during one of the major bonfires in Meron as tens of thousands of Jewish people celebrated the festival of Lag Ba’omer in northern Israel Thursday.
Bleachers appeared to have collapsed as revelers were jumping and dancing on the structure. There are several confirmed fatalities – an exact number is not known at this time.
United Hatzalah teams are also treating at least 30 more people for various injuries sustained from the falling structure and resulting debris.
Reports are suggesting that numerous people are unconscious and volunteers are CPR is in progress on a number of individuals who were struck by the structure and lost consciousness.
United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Yosef Chaim Ben Tzion who was one of the first responders at the scene and participated in the CPR relayed: “A number of the injured are in critical condition and a large number of people were moderately injured after a grandstand collapsed with dozens of people on it. Doctors, paramedics, and EMTs from United Hatzalah who were providing medical security for the event rushed to respond and initiated CPR on a number of individuals while treating the others for their injuries.”
Due to the nature of the incident, members of the Pychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit were dispatched as well in order to deal with those who are suffering from shock and emotional stress.
