:quality(85)//cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/UMTWBZ4V6FDPZE4IIO3FLAYF2Y.jpg "The steps of a synagogue near Jerusalem collapsed: 60 people were injured")
About 60 people were injured when the steps of a synagogue near Jerusalem collapsed, reported this Sunday the Israeli medical services.
The accident occurred in a Haredi Orthodox synagogue in Givat Ze’ev, north of Jerusalem, while more than 600 people were gathered for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, police said. The building was still under construction, according to Israeli media.
According to the Magen David Adom, the Israeli national emergency and medical aid service, 10 people are in serious or critical condition after the collapse of the stands and others 50 have non-life threatening injuries. It is unknown if there are people trapped under the stands.
Police said in a statement that people are being evacuated from the area and that an investigation into the collapse has been opened.
The incident was captured by a video showing the synagogue full of people and a floor or bleacher suddenly collapsing. Other videos show massive chaos outside the building.
A picture sent by the police shows metal beams and wooden planks from the collapsed seating structure.
Some large Jaredi synagogues have steps, known as “tribonas”, which are filled with parishioners standing or dancing around a central table where community leaders sit.
News in development.