Therapist says trauma for those at scene will be major and long-lasting

The Maccabi health provider set up a trauma center this morning in Karmiel for people dealing with psychological impact from the night’s events.

Maccabi psychologist Gal Samooha says families “came with anxiety as a result of their traumatic experience.” He says the psychological impact of the disaster will only become clear in the coming weeks, and will likely be major.

“People don’t always feel the impact of such events immediately, and it is often only realized weeks later. There were so many people and it was so traumatic that there will be a lot of impact on mental health,” he says.

“Let’s remember that entire families were there, including young children. There could well be kids, and adults too, with difficulty sleeping, flashbacks and an ongoing sense of anxiety.”

Rescue workers and police at the scene after a crush of people killed at least 45 people during celebrations on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021 (David Cohen/Flash90)