Israeli PM visits site where religious festival stampede killed 44

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has left for Mount Meron, where the tragedy that killed 44 people.

At least 44 people have been killed in a crash at a crowded religious festival in the northeast of Israel on April 30.

Dozens more were injured at the Lag B'Omer festival, which takes place annually at the foot of Mount Meron.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a "heavy disaster" and has traveled to the scene.

Tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews attended the festival, making it the most significant event in Israel since the coronavirus pandemic began.

The country's successful vaccination program has allowed it to lift many restrictions, but health officials had still warned of the risk of Covid-19.