Vandalism in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Philadelphia
Vandalism in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in PhiladelphiaReuters

Police in Philadelphia have determined that 30 headstones toppled in a Jewish cemetery in the area fell due to age and environmental factors, not due to vandalism, JTA reported Sunday.

The damaged headstones were discovered on Friday at Mt. Sharon Cemetery in Springfield, Pennsylvania. The damage was reported by a woman who went to visit her father’s grave and noticed the overturned and cracked headstones.

Police said that the damage was not vandalism, but was caused by external factors, including recent bush and tree removal.

The cemetery management said it would fix the toppled headstones, police told local media.

The damage was initially reported as vandalism, which caused concern in light of the vandalism in February at the Mount Carmel Cemetery, where about 175 gravestones were toppled in a vandalism attack.

The February incident came a week after more than 150 Jewish gravestones were broken or tipped over at a cemetery in St. Louis. No suspects have been identified in either attack.