Deadly Explosion at Intel Plant in Kiryat Gat Claims Second Life

A second person has died following an explosion at an Intel plant in Kiryat Gat, which occurred on Wednesday, October 14. The victim, who had been hospitalized at Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, succumbed to their injuries. Previously, one other person had died in the incident, and a third individual sustained severe injuries and was hospitalized.

Kiryat Gat Mayor Kfir Suissa told Israel's Channel 12 that he suspects the incident involved hazardous substances and advised the public to stay away from the area. The fatal event took place during the unloading of gas at the facility. Two trucks arrived to transfer nitrogen into special tanks. While one truck completed its operation, the explosion occurred as the second truck was being moved.

Normally, this procedure is considered routine, involving connecting the truck to the plant's system for nitrogen transfer. Nitrogen itself is typically a stable substance under normal conditions and does not cause fires or explosions. The exact stage at which the explosion happened has not yet been determined.

While a potential cause could be a technical malfunction, the precise circumstances are still under investigation. Intel, the global company, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged support to those affected. The company stated, "We are deeply saddened by the deaths of two employees following a tragic incident at our facility in Kiryat Gat and extend our condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues. We wish the third injured party a full recovery. We are fully cooperating with the authorities investigating the incident. We will continue to support the families and all those affected."

The circumstances of the explosion and the reasons for the employees' deaths are being investigated.