JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel observed a day of mourning on Sunday for 45 people crushed to death at a Jewish religious festival, with flags lowered to half-staff and questions raised about accountability for one of the country's worst civilian disasters. More than 20 of the victims of Friday's disaster on Mount Meron were buried overnight after official identification was completed. There are no words to describe the feeling of the entire country," Rabbi Velvel Brevda, 66, said on Sunday on Mount Meron, where prayer vigils were being held. "With sadness, I express my closeness to the people of Israel for the incident last Friday on Mount Meron that caused the death of 45 people and numerous injuries," Francis said. Police and regional government officials said the Mount Meron site was administered by four separate private religious groups, making oversight difficult.

Source: The Star May 02, 2021 08:01 UTC