Israel's new government approved on Sunday an official inquiry into a stampede in April in which killed 45 people at a Jewish pilgrimage site long deemed dangerously crowded by authorities.

Israeli cabinet orders inquiry on deadly festival stampede

US citizens are among the dozens killed and injured in a stampede at a religious festival in Israel, the US Embassy said on Saturday, as criticism mounted in the wake of one of the biggest civilian disasters in the country's history.

US citizens were among those killed in Israeli festival disaster

At least 44 people have been killed in northern Israel due to massive stampede at a densely packed Jewish pilgrimage site on Friday. The disaster occurred in Meron at the site of the reputed tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, where mainly ultra-Orthodox Jews flock to mark the Lag BaOmer holiday.

At least 44 killed in stampede at Israel pilgrimage site, several injured