Collapse of a bleacher in a synagogue in Israel leaves dead and dozens injured

Jerusalem (CNN) – Israel’s emergency services responded to what they have described as a “mass casualty event” after the collapse of a grandstand at an Orthodox synagogue in the West Bank settlement of Giv’at Ze’ev, northwest of Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem district police chief told Israeli television reporters that at least two people had been confirmed dead.

A video broadcast on Israeli television shows dozens of worshipers falling to the ground as the crowded stands collapsed.

A “considerable number of faithful were injured”, according to the police. A firefighter at the scene told Israel Channel 13 that worshipers appeared to be trapped under the stands.

More than 100 were injured, according to Israeli emergency medical services.

The collapse of the bleachers comes just over two weeks after 45 people died in a stampede at a religious festival on Mount Meron in Israel, where the faithful had gathered to commemorate the Lag B’Omer holiday.

CNN’s Amir Tal reported from Jerusalem, while Dakin Andone reported and wrote this story in Atlanta.