Two Teens Injured and Elderly Man Killed in Jerusalem Balcony Collapse at Angel Bakery

Ron and Tamar, both 16-year-old employees at Angel Bakery in Jerusalem's Rehavia neighborhood, were lightly injured when a nearly century-old balcony collapsed on Monday, killing 80-year-old regular customer Barry Levitt. The balcony, built around 1930 and legally constructed, had recently begun to sink and deteriorate. On the morning of the accident, the apartment owner had hired a private engineer to inspect the balcony after stones fell from it, and the engineer warned of imminent collapse and recommended scaffolding. However, before repairs could begin, the balcony gave way.

Ron recounted cleaning the kitchen before closing when they heard a loud boom and saw dust and debris as the entire storefront collapsed. Both he and Tamar were trapped under dust and rubble for about 20 minutes before rescue teams freed them. They described Barry Levitt, who died in the incident, as a beloved daily customer who often spent hours at the bakery with his wife. Tamar recalled the traumatic moment when the ceiling fell and customers fled, later learning that Barry had died in the collapse.

Jerusalem municipality teams coordinated with rescue services to clear the site and remove hazards. Engineers inspected other balconies in the area, finding no immediate danger, but the city issued an order prohibiting use of balconies until thorough safety checks are completed. The incident highlights the risks posed by aging infrastructure in historic buildings.