Israel calls national mourning on Sunday after stampede

JERUSALEM, Palestine

Israel declared Sunday a day of national mourning after at least 45 people were killed and 103 injured early on Friday in a stampede during the Jewish religious festival.

"A day of national mourning has been declared on Sunday, let us all stand in solidarity with the families of the victims, and pray for the safety of the injured," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said upon arriving at Mount Meron near the northern town of Safed where the incident occurred.

The premier described the accident that occurred during the Lag B'Omer holiday as "one of the most painful tragedies in the history of the country" which witnessed "heartbreaking scenes" with children were also among those dead.

He also commended the security forces for rapidly evacuating those trapped in the procession operations that “prevented a much greater tragedy” and promised that thorough investigations will be conducted to ensure such tragedies are not repeated.

Earlier, The Times of Israel, a local media outlet, reported that insults were hurled at the prime minister during the visit.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar in Ankara