The scene at the University of Florida on Monday night devolved into chaos as a vigil for victims in Israel had to be postponed following a panic-induced stampede of students.
Dozens were hospitalized and many of the injured were reportedly treated at the scene after the mad rush to escape the area which was reportedly caused by confusion over a call for help. Students had gathered for a candlelight vigil for victims of the terror attacks in Israel that unfolded over the weekend.
“At 8:55 p.m., an attendant fainted, which led to others asking for someone to call 911. The call was misunderstood by the crowd, which dispersed in a panic,” the University of Florida Police Department explained in a statement which reported that five people were injured.
“We have no reason to believe that there was malicious intent behind this accident. It was an accident that was misinterpreted by the crowd that led to panic,” Chief Linda Stump Kurnick said.
— UF Public Safety (@UFPublicSafety) October 10, 2023
The UF Health Shands Hospital described the sudden influx of about 30 injured students as a “mass casualty” incident, according to The Gainesville Sun.
“Earlier accounts of the incident feared they heard gunshots, though no shots were fired. It is believed that the person’s bag or items dropped to create a loud noise,” the news outlet reported. “As the crowd dispersed, many fell and tripped over each other, witnesses said.”
University President and former Senator Ben Sasse was at the vigil at UF’s Turlington Plaza which was reportedly attended by a crowd of about 1,000, according to the school’s Chabad Rabbi, Berl Goldman.
“It was a real stampede,” said Chanie Goldman, co-director of the Chabad Jewish Student Center, according to The Gainesville Sun. “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.”
Scary moment of all around. Praying for everyone’s safety pic.twitter.com/msKJ1jeD3l
— Nick VanZandt (@VanzandtNick) October 10, 2023
Students “suffered concussions, gashes and were given stitches. Several arrived by ambulance and at least one suffered a broken leg,” according to the news outlet.
“Today our campus Jewish community gathered in the hundreds to stand with Israel at a unity gathering in Turlington Plaza,” said a joint statement from Chabad UF and UF Hill. “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.”
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The research university in Gainesville, Florida reportedly boasts “over 9,000 Jewish students, one of the largest populations at a university in the world, between undergraduate and graduate enrollment,” according to The Gainesville Sun.
Following the incident, Sasse told the outlet that “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.”
Before the panic and stampede, the former Nebraska senator had spoken to vigil attendees.
“Like so many Gators, Melissa and I are praying. We pray for the families of the dead. We pray for the victims who are in hospitals still fighting for their lives. We pray for the victims who are still held hostage. We pray for peace in an uncertain and dangerous world,” according to the UF website.
The pro-Israel vigil is reportedly going to be rescheduled for another date.
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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