A year after disaster, thousands flock to Israeli holy site

Thousands of worshippers are lighting bonfires, praying and dancing at a Jewish holy site in northern Israel, a year after a stampede there that left 45 people dead

JERUSALEM -- Thousands of worshippers flocked to a Jewish holy site in northern Israel to light bonfires, pray and dance Wednesday under heavy police presence, a year after a stampede there left 45 people dead.

This year's Lag BaOmer holiday festivities at Mount Meron appeared orderly, but were overshadowed by last year's deaths, the largest civilian disaster in the country's history. A prominent rabbi lit 45 candles in memory of those who perished.

Highways leading to the mountain were gridlocked hours ahead of the celebrations.

An independent commission of inquiry launched after the disaster last year looked into major safety lapses and overcrowding at the mountaintop site and recommended limiting attendance and revamping safety protocols and infrastructure.