Second Fatality Confirmed in Intel Plant Explosion in Kiryat Gat
Translated & summarized from Haaretz by baba
A second person has died from injuries sustained in an explosion at the Intel factory in Kiryat Gat, bringing the total fatalities to two. The explosion occurred during a gas transfer operation, with a third individual still in serious condition. Police are investigating the incident, which involved the leak of a toxic gas. This event draws parallels to a previous fatal incident at a refinery near Ashdod.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A 49-year-old man died from injuries sustained in an explosion at the Intel plant in Kiryat Gat.
- A second fatality, Yakir Kozhovili, was confirmed from Wednesday's blast at the Intel facility.
- A third victim is hospitalized in serious condition at Soroka Medical Center.
- The explosion occurred during a gas transfer from trucks to tanks at the Intel plant.
- Investigators identified the leaked substance as toxic trifluoromethane gas.
- Police are investigating the incident for potential criminal negligence.
A 49-year-old man who was injured in an explosion at the Intel factory in Kiryat Gat on Thursday has died from his wounds. This follows the death of another individual injured in the blast on Wednesday, identified as Yakir Kozhovili. A third victim, in his twenties, remains hospitalized in serious condition at Soroka Medical Center.
Initial police investigations suggest the explosion occurred while trucks were transferring gas into tanks at the facility. "I cannot at this moment point to a criminal suspicion or a case of negligence," stated Shi Alali, commander of the Kiryat Gat police station, at the scene. "We understand that one truck was emptying material into the factory tanks. After it disconnected and the second truck connected, the explosion occurred."
The fire department reported that trifluoromethane, a non-flammable but toxic gas dangerous to inhale, had leaked. Fire crews monitored the area, assessed the risks from the gas leak, and eventually gained control of the situation.
This incident echoes a tragedy in February where two female workers died at a refinery near Ashdod. The Ministry of Labor's safety manager at the time stated that medical air tanks connected to the workers' protective suits did not contain oxygen. According to the ministry's announcement, tanks belonging to the company "Salam Yaakov and Sons" were mislabeled as containing oxygen, but actually held a different gas.
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