The Chernobyler Rebbe has issued an emotional appeal to Klal Yisroel, urging Jews around the world to intensify their tefillos for the swift release of the body of R’ Akiva Rand z”l, the yungerman who was tragically killed in a devastating traffic accident in Moldova earlier this week.

Despite ongoing efforts by askanim in both Moldova and Eretz Yisroel, Moldovan authorities have not yet released the body, delaying plans to bring him to kevurah in Eretz Yisroel.

As previously reported, the fatal accident occurred Wednesday near Kishinev, Moldova, as a group of avreichim was traveling to the kever of the tzaddik Rav Yechiel of Krylovitz, zya, together with many Chernobyler chassidim. The pilgrimage had been organized in conjunction with the Chernobyler Rebbe, who ultimately did not make the trip.

R’ Akiva Rand, z”ל, one of the prominent Chernobyler chassidim in Yerushalayim, was killed in the horrific crash. Despite extensive efforts by numerous askanim, both locally in Moldova and in Israel, authorities have yet to authorize the release of his body for burial.

In response, the Chernobyler Rebbe instructed that all chassidim worldwide be asked to storm the heavens in davening on behalf of the departed, R’ Akiva ben yblch”t R’ Mordechai Dovid, beseeching Hashem that the body be released without further delay so that he may be brought to his final resting place in Eretz Hakodesh.