A rescue service spokesman said 28 people died in the crush incident early on Friday, according to Reuters. The Magen David Adom ambulance service said 103 people had been injured, including dozens fatally. Channel 12 TV put the number of dead at 38.
Israel's national emergency service confirmed the deaths without giving exact numbers, and said dozens more had been wounded.
Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a "heavy disaster".
The Lag B'Omer festival in the town of Meron is the largest event held in the country since the coronavirus pandemic began, with tens of thousands reportedly attending - despite concerns about spreading the virus.
Dozens of ambulances are at the scene and emergency services have laid out bodies under foil covers on the ground. Police have asked everyone at the site to evacuate. 219
