Israeli watchdog to investigate deadly festival stampede

Israel's government watchdog agency says it will launch an investigation into the deadly stampede at a religious festival over the weekend that left 45 ultra-Orthodox Jews dead

JERUSALEM -- Israel's governmental watchdog agency said Monday it would launch an investigation into the deadly stampede at a religious festival over the weekend that left 45 ultra-Orthodox Jews dead. “This is an event that could have been prevented,” State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman told a press conference in Jerusalem. “I intend to open a special review that will investigate the circumstances that led to this disaster." Englman said his report would focus on the actions of decision makers, police and rescuers in the field. It was not immediately clear whether his announcement would end calls for an independent investigation.