UF vigil for Israel victims sent into chaos after scare, roughly 30 went to hospital

More than 30 University of Florida students went to a local hospital late Monday evening after a vigil for victims in Israel erupted in chaos with students trampling over others.

Officials say the panic ensued after a misunderstanding. The crowd, many already on edge, began running for safety, which resulted in many getting injured along the way.

Rabbi Berl Goldman with Chabad UF said he was with UF President Ben Sasse at the “United with Israel” candlelight vigil at UF's Turlington Plaza in front of a crowd of hundreds of people to pay respect to those who lost their lives over the weekend in the deadly attack in Israel. Campus police say someone in the crowd fainted or fell, and people began yelling "911," which was misunderstood by some nearby.

Earlier accounts of the incident included some fearing they heard gunshots, though no shots were fired. It is believed that the person's bag or hydro flask water container dropped and created a loud noise. Others also dropped their items and ran.

'I assumed I was getting shot at': Dozens injured after UF vigil for Israel erupts in chaos

As the crowd dispersed, many fell and tripped over each other, witnesses said. More than 30 students went to UF Health Shands Hospital for injuries. Hospital officials said Tuesday morning that about 20 were treated and released but none were admitted overnight. Though most injuries were minor, witnesses at the hospital told The Gainesville Sun that some suffered concussions, gashes and were given stitches. Several arrived by ambulance and at least one suffered a broken leg, they said.

"It was a real stampede," said Chanie Goldman, co-director of the Chabad Jewish Student Center, who spent the evening with students at the hospital. "Kids are very shaken up ... People came to the event on edge to begin with because there is a fear for going to any Jewish event that something could happen."

UF Public Safety, however, posted on social media that only five people were injured and treated on the scene.

Rabbi Berl Goldman said he knows most who fell while scattering suffered bruises and scrapes and didn't seek medical treatment. A large police presence and other first responders quickly arrived at UF and remained on the scene to help attendees gather belongings and ensure their safety, as many sought answers for the confusion.

"Today our campus Jewish community gathered in the hundreds to stand with Israel at a unity gathering in Turlington Plaza," said a joint Chabad UF and UF Hill statement released late Monday. "It was a moving and beautiful evening. Unfortunately, during the program a noise led a panic to ensue While we do not definitively know the cause, we feel certain this was rooted in misunderstanding. Everyone is safe with the exception of minor injuries.

"Our institutions exist to support Jewish students. We remain united in our commitment to this sacred work."

Sasse, who spoke before the confusion occurred, released the following statement to The Sun late Monday evening:

"Tonight's vigil was an opportunity for our community to condemn Hamas' terrorism and stand by our Jewish Gators. I'm grateful for each and every Gator who came to show their support. I'm grateful for Rabbi Jonah and Rabbi Berl for their leadership."

UF has over 9,000 Jewish students, one of the largest populations at a university in the world, between undergraduate and graduate enrollment. The vigil will be postponed to a future date.

Berl Goldman said he believes the panic was a reaction to the fear many are already experiencing with the rise in anti-semitism, recent shootings and attacks in Israel.

"Thank God there wasn't anything other than panic," he said.

Those who are unable to retrieve their items from the plaza on Monday can pick them up at UF's Public Safety building, located at 1555 Museum Road, on Tuesday.

Attack in Israel

Over the weekend, Hamas bombarded Israel with ruthless attacks, starting Saturday morning through the air and on the ground. Militants fired rockets and opened fire on civilians celebrating the week-long Jewish holiday Sukkot. Some of those attacked were attending a music festival. The next day, Israel formally declared war on Hamas and has been sending airstrikes to Gaza.

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The rising death toll is estimated at 1,100, with another 2,751 people injured as a result of ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas. At least nine U.S. citizens have also been killed. Over 100 Israeli citizens have been taken as hostages by Hamas militants including soldiers, women, children and some elderly, officials say. The death toll surpasses the last war between Hamas and Israel in 2021, the Council on Foreign Relations’ Global Conflict Tracker reported. That lasted for 11 days and killed over 250 people.

The UF community has set up an Israel emergency fund to collect donations. Money will be distributed amongst verified Israeli agencies. For more information, visit www.JewishGator.com/IEF.

Gainesville Sun Reporter Lillian Lawson contributed to the report.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Vigil for Isael victims sent into chaos after scare, 'everyone safe'