Second Fatality Confirmed in Intel Plant Explosion; Technical Failure Suspected
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Yakir Kosshoyli, 35, is the second fatality from an explosion at the Intel factory in Kiryat Gat, dying from his injuries on Thursday. The blast, which occurred Wednesday during the connection of a gas tank, is under investigation, with a technical failure in the tank suspected. The incident, involving approximately 8 tons of nitrogen trifluoride, resulted in two deaths and a hazardous materials alert.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Yakir Kosshoyli, 35, died from injuries sustained in an Intel factory explosion, becoming the second fatality.
- The explosion occurred Wednesday at the Intel plant in Kiryat Gat during a gas tank connection.
- Investigators suspect a technical failure in the gas tank, possibly due to detachment of its neck.
- The tank contained approximately 8 tons of nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃), a semiconductor industry chemical.
- Illya Chuchlin, 49, was the first fatality, dying Wednesday from injuries sustained in the blast.
- A hazardous materials alert was declared at the scene, with multiple rescue teams responding.
Yakir Kosshoyli, a 35-year-old resident of Be'er Sheva, is the second person to die following an explosion at the Intel factory in Kiryat Gat. Kosshoyli was critically injured in the blast that occurred Wednesday at the plant and succumbed to his wounds Thursday morning at Soroka Hospital. The investigation into the incident is currently focusing on a suspected technical failure in the gas tank on a truck at the site. The incident was declared a hazardous materials event, and a helicopter was dispatched to evacuate the injured.
According to new details from the Fire and Rescue Services, the neck of the tank is believed to have detached, creating pressure that likely led to the explosion. The tank contained approximately 8 tons of nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃), a gas used in the semiconductor industry. While typically non-flammable, NF₃ can cause a fire under unusual conditions when released uncontrollably under pressure. Investigators are examining the cause of the tank's detachment, including whether it was due to wear and tear or another preventable factor.
Fire officials described the event as statistically rare and emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, with no definitive cause yet established. Current findings support the theory of a technical malfunction. The explosion occurred Wednesday afternoon as three technicians were connecting the gas tank to the factory's system. Following the blast, a hazardous materials alert was issued, and eight firefighting and rescue teams, including specialized hazardous materials units, responded.
Kosshoyli's death brings the total fatalities to two. The other victim, 49-year-old Illya Chuchlin, also from Be'er Sheva, died Wednesday from his injuries after being evacuated from the scene in critical condition. He is survived by his wife and child. Investigators are working to reconstruct the events and determine the nature of the failure during the tank connection process, specifically whether it resulted from wear, another malfunction, or a preventable issue.
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