Israel HayomSecurity10:22

Explosion Kills Teen, Injures 24 on School Trip in Northern Israel

By נועם (דבול) דביר

Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba

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An explosion on a school trip in Israel's Ramim Ridge killed 14-year-old Elazar Yair Vilensky and injured 24 others on Tuesday. Initial IDF investigations suggest the blast was caused by a Hezbollah cluster munition, possibly detonated after being picked up by a student. The Ministry of Education is investigating the incident, confirming the route was approved and within JNF limitations, while also reviewing safety protocols. Several injured individuals remain hospitalized.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

A 14-year-old student was killed and 24 others injured in an explosion on a school trip in northern Israel.
The explosion in the Ramim Ridge area is believed to have been caused by a Hezbollah cluster munition.
Initial reports suggest a student may have picked up unexploded ordnance, leading to the detonation.
The Ministry of Education is investigating the incident and reviewing safety guidelines for school trips.
The approved route for the trip did not pass through areas prohibited due to war damage, according to the ministry.

Explosion Kills Teen, Injures 24 on School Trip in Northern Israel — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

The Israeli Ministry of Education is investigating an explosion that occurred on Tuesday in the Ramim Ridge area of the Upper Galilee, which killed 14-year-old Elazar Yair Vilensky and injured 24 others, including students and teachers from the Orot Modi'in high school in Ma'alot. The ministry stated that the trip adhered to limitations set by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and that the planned route did not pass through areas prohibited due to war damage.

According to initial IDF investigations, the explosion was caused by a Hezbollah cluster munition. It is believed that one of the trip participants found an unexploded ordnance (UXO) and placed it in a bag, leading to its detonation. The IDF is examining the circumstances of the incident, including whether the group deviated from the approved route.

Explicit safety instructions, prohibiting any contact with unexploded ordnance and requiring immediate reporting of any such findings, were reportedly provided to the participants. The Ministry of Education, in conjunction with the IDF and police, is reviewing the approval process for such activities and the accompanying safety guidelines. The ministry will continue to examine activity approval frameworks and safety instructions in the coming days.

Minister of Education Yoav Kisch expressed his condolences for the death of Vilensky, a ninth-grader, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Ministry teams are providing support to the affected families, students, and staff. Of the 24 injured, several remain hospitalized with varying conditions, including two in serious condition at the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya and one with a shard in his neck at Rambam Health Care Campus.