Approximately 90,000 - mostly ultra-Orthodox Jews - had thronged to the Mount Meron tomb of 2nd-century sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai for annual Lag Ba'omer commemorations that include all-night prayer, mystical songs and dance. Shortly after the incident, Israel Police closed traffic into the area and began evacuating visitors from the site. The annual celebration at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was closed last year due to coronavirus restrictions. The worshiper insisted that the celebration should continue nonetheless, saying "we need to pray by Rabbi Shimon, we need the celebration of Rabbi Shimon." Meron after dozens killed, injured in stampede on Lag Ba'omer, April 30, 2021 (Credit: Magen David Adom)Bonfires are lit at Meron and throughout Israel as the anniversary of Bar Yochai's death is celebrated as a festival.
