More than 40 people killed in stampede at religious festival in Israel

It was the first huge religious gathering to be held legally since Israel lifted nearly all restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Israeli security officials and rescuers carry a body of a victim who died during Lag BaOmer celebrations at Mt Meron in northern Israel (AP Photo)

More than 40 people have been killed in a stampede at a Jewish religious gathering in northern Israel, local authorities said.

Motti Bukchin, spokesman for the Zaka ambulance service, told Channel 12 TV on Friday that 44 people were killed in the incident.