In a harrowing event, 260 attendees have been confirmed dead following an attack at the ‘Supernova’ psytrance festival, as confirmed by the Israeli rescue agency, Zaka. The festival, held near the Re’im kibbutz in the Negev desert, celebrated the Jewish harvest festival, Sukkot.
It is reported that the assault began with an initial salvo of rockets around 6:30 AM on October 7, followed by militants arriving in vehicles and firing at the attendees. According to eyewitness Raz Gaster, the initial moments of the attack were met with confusion and terror, with attendees hiding wherever possible.
The tragedy became even more chilling when some attendees thought warning sirens were a part of the music, not realizing the imminent threat until the firing began.
Drone footage circulating on social media platforms paints a distressing picture of the aftermath, showing severe destruction and numerous burned-out vehicles.
Videos show scenes of chaos, with people attempting to escape the onslaught. Disturbingly, there are reports of some attendees being taken hostage. Among the missing is a 26-year-old British security team member, Jake Marlowe.
The Tribe Of Nova, the festival organizers, have expressed their profound grief and shock. In solidarity, Universo Parallels, which began the festival concept in Brazil, issued a statement expressing their horror at the events.
The situation remains tense in the region, with escalating hostilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel “at war,” and significant casualties have been reported on both sides.
As both the global and local communities grapple with the events of this tragedy, efforts are underway to locate and assist those impacted.
