Following the death of an avreich who was trampled to death by the crowd at the levaya of HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Halevy Wosner ZT”L police announced they are investigating the persons who made arrangements for the funeral. Two others remain in critical and serious condition from their injuries from being crushed at the levaya.

Organizers explain the lack of time to prepare for the motzei Shabbos levaya resulted in a less than optimum setting. The organizers point a finger of blame at police, for failing to infuse sufficient manpower to maintain. They explain police should have been inside the beis medrash to prevent the situation from getting out of control as it did, shutting the doors when necessary.

Police spokesman for the chareidi community, Shabtai Gerverchik released a message that police view the levaya as an internal religious event and police were not responsible to place manpower inside the beis medrash.

Dan District Police Chief Menashe Shimon Lavie told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) on Sunday morning 16 Nissan that until the body was carried out of the beis medrash everything was under control. He explained as the body was carried form Beis Medrash Chachmei Lublin, the crowd pushed forward to get close to the body and this is when the tragedy occurred.

Some persons who were in the area explain the pushing and shoving was such that it was literally difficult to breathe.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)