Nearly 40 people killed in a stampede in Israel

An Israeli ambulance service has confirmed that nearly 40 people died in a stampede at a religious festival in northern Israel.

Videos which went viral on social media showed large number of ultra-Orthodox Jews packed together in tight spaces despite social distancing measures.

A stampede broke out early Friday at a Jewish religious gathering attended by mostly ultra-Orthodox Jews, in northern Israel. The attendees were reportedly honouring Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai when the stampede broke out. At least 40 people died as a result.

The cause of the stampede was not immediately clear.