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Ten injured in explosion at Jewish celebration in London

Jon Shelton with Reuters
May 3, 2018

Police have confirmed that 10 people suffered minor injuries. No criminal motive is suspected.

https://p.dw.com/p/2x4l8
Lag B'Omer bonfire in Israel
Image: Getty Images/L. Mizrahi

Ten people suffered minor injuries when an explosion occurred during the lighting of a bonfire at traditional Lag B'Omer celebrations in the Stamford Hill neighborhood in London, Wednesday evening. 

The cause of the explosion is unknown, though excessive fuel as well as smartphones, thrown onto the pile by ultra-orthodox Jews who oppose their use, may have led to it. 

Police confirmed the injuries, adding: "No criminal allegations reported. No serious injuries."

The custom of lighting bonfires to commemorate the death of second century sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai at Lag B'Omer has become a tradition over the last century.  

 

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