Second Worker Dies After Intel Factory Explosion in Kiryat Gat
Translated & summarized from TheMarker by baba
A second worker has died from injuries sustained in an explosion at the Intel factory in Kiryat Gat, bringing the total fatalities to two. A third worker remains in serious condition. The explosion reportedly happened during the transfer of trifluorine nitrogen gas into factory tanks. Intel is cooperating with the investigation, which is examining the circumstances of the gas transfer. This incident follows a similar fatal accident at a refinery near Ashdod in February.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A second worker died from injuries sustained in an explosion at the Intel factory in Kiryat Gat.
- A third worker injured in the blast remains in serious condition at Soroka Hospital.
- The explosion occurred during the transfer of toxic trifluorine nitrogen gas into factory tanks.
- Kiryat Gat station commander Shi Alali is investigating the incident.
- Intel expressed sorrow over the deaths and pledged cooperation with investigators.
- Two female workers died in a similar incident at a refinery near Ashdod in February.
A 49-year-old man who was injured in an explosion at the Intel factory in Kiryat Gat has died from his wounds. This follows the death of another worker, identified as Yakir Kozhvili, around 50 years old, who was killed in the blast on Thursday. A third victim, in his twenties, remains hospitalized in serious condition at Soroka Hospital.
Intel stated it is cooperating fully with the authorities investigating the incident. "We are deeply saddened by the deaths of the two employees and share in the sorrow of their families. We will continue to stand by all those who were injured," the company said.
Initial police investigations suggest the explosion occurred when trucks were emptying gas into tanks at the factory. "I cannot point to a criminal suspicion or negligence at this moment," said Kiryat Gat station commander Shi Alali at the scene. "We understand that one truck emptied material into the factory's tanks. After it disconnected and the second truck connected, the explosion occurred."
The fire department reported that trifluorine nitrogen gas, which is non-flammable but toxic and 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 the refinery near Ashdod. At that time, the Ministry of Labor's safety director stated that the medical air tanks connected to the workers' protective suits did not contain oxygen, but another gas, despite being labeled as containing oxygen by the company 'Salam Yaakov and Sons'.
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