OREANDA-NEWS. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in connection with the tragedy on Mount Meron. "Russia shares the grief of the friendly people of Israel," Putin said in a telegram.

The Russian president conveyed words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, and also wished a speedy recovery to all the victims.

The tragedy took place on the night of April 30. During the event on the occasion of the Jewish holiday of Lag B'Omer, stands collapsed on Mount Meron and there was a crush.

This holiday was the first mass event after the lifting of restrictions on covid in Israel. The police said that up to 100 thousand people took part in the event. According to the latest data, 44 people were killed in the stampede, at least 150 were injured.

According to the rules adopted in Israel, the bodies will be identified first. Then relatives will be informed about them. And only then will the final data on the death toll appear.

Pilgrims from Russia could not have been at the celebration of Lag B'Omer in Israel, during which people died, since this country remains closed to foreign tourists, the press service of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia told RIA Novosti.