Nearly 400,000 Hasidim have visited Uman over the past 20 years

On September 4-5, 2013 Hasidim coming from Bratslav will celebrate Rosh Hashanah (New Year according to the Jewish calendar) in Cherkasy region. Traditionally, religious events are held at the grave of Rabbi Nakhman and at the local synagogue. The UNN citing the press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) reported that this year over 20,000 pilgrims from 27 countries, the majority of whom are residents of Israel, are expected to come to Uman region.

Over the past 20 years nearly 400,000 followers of the religious movement visited Uman on pilgrimage. Due to the arrival of so many pilgrims, fire risk and human factor pressure on the entire infrastructure of the city has been increased.

In view of the experience gained in the past years, during the period from September 1 until September 10 Uman fire and rescue units will be on watch around the clock in places of pilgrims’ celebration of Rosh Hashanah. Additional forces of the SESU experts from neighboring units will be sent to Uman to provide practical assistance to the local rescuers. The total number of rescuers in the consolidated unit, with the assistance of divers and pyrotechnic unit of the Special Emergency Response Team, will be 129 men with 34 units of special fire and rescue equipment.