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Middle East
Accident mars Israel anniversary
Many injured as parachutist crashes into Tel Aviv crowd celebrating Israel's creation.
Last Modified: 08 May 2008 17:39 GMT
The wounded were taken away on stretchers [AFP] 

Seven Israelis were injured, three seriously, when an Israeli army parachutist accidentally crashed into spectators on a Tel Aviv beach during the country's 60th anniversary celebrations.
 
An army spokeswoman said: "During the parade which took place in front of a Tel Aviv beach, a parachutist fell by mistake in the middle of the crowd."
The spokeswoman said the parachutist was among the injured.
 
A medic with the Magen David Adom emergency services said: "Three people were seriously injured and lost consciousness. There were also four lightly injured. All of the injured are Israelis."
Televison footage showed the parachutist gliding towards the edge of the crowd and colliding with people as he hit the ground.
 
The wounded were carried away on stretchers, with one woman appearing to have a bloodied neck.

Israel is marking its 60th anniverversary on Thursday. Festivities in Tel Aviv included naval parades, air force fly overs and the parachute jump.

In the occupied West Bank, Palestinians were also marking the six decades since what they call the "Naqba" or catastrophe.

About 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven out of their homes during the setting up of the Israeli state.

Many of them were marching on Thursday for the right to return to the homes that they left in 1948. 

Source:
Agencies
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