A devastating tragedy struck the city of Elad over Shabbos, as a 9-year-old girl died after suffering a severe panic attack triggered by air raid sirens amid the ongoing security situation.

The child, Rochel Mandel a”h, a student at the local Vizhnitzer School and a member of an Erlauer family in the city, collapsed following an acute anxiety episode that ultimately led to total system failure.

According to sources, since the outbreak of the war with Iran approximately four weeks ago, the girl had been experiencing intense fear and shortness of breath each time sirens sounded in the city. Her condition reportedly worsened as the conflict continued and the frequency of alerts increased.

On Friday night, the girl suffered an extreme panic attack and lost consciousness in front of her family. Emergency responders who arrived at the home immediately began advanced resuscitation efforts before transporting her in critical condition to the hospital.

Despite extensive attempts by medical teams in the trauma unit and intensive care ward to save her life, her condition rapidly declined, and she passed away during the night. Her parents, who had rushed out with her in desperation, returned home in the early morning hours without their child.

The levayah and kevurah were held on Motzoei Shabbos at the Lechaim Cemetery in Elad.

News of the tragedy has left the Erlauer community and the entire city of Elad in deep shock. Rabbanim and mental health professionals have been called in to support the grieving family and the girl’s classmates, helping them process the trauma and difficult questions arising in the wake of the incident.

{Matzav.com}