At least 45 people were killed and dozens injured following a stampede at an overcrowded gathering to celebrate the Lag B’Omer Jewish festival in Meron, on Thursday night.

Police forces were working to evacuate Mount Meron following the large number of casualties.

Emergency services were on site to evacuate and treat the injured.

The incident took place as tens of thousands of mostly ultra-Orthodox Jews were participating in the annual event, around the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a 2nd-century tannaitic sage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a ‘heavy disaster.’