Police Transfer Ashdod Refinery Disaster Case to Prosecution Six Months After Fatal Accident

Six months after the tragic incident at the Ashdod refinery that claimed the lives of chemical engineers Irina Radchuk and Nitzan Goichman, the police have handed over the investigation file to the prosecution. The two women died while testing hazardous materials, wearing suits connected to containers filled with 100% nitrogen instead of medical air tanks, according to police and the Ministry of Labor. Among the suspects are company managers and two brothers who own the company supplying the tanks, as well as refinery managers.

The laboratory manager has since left her position, and the testing room where the accident occurred remains closed. A veteran engineer at the refinery, speaking anonymously, told ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth that management plans to reopen the testing room only after installing new safety measures, including cameras, emergency buttons, and a third person supervising the tests. He criticized the management for ignoring safety warnings for years and said the absence of a camera delayed rescue efforts during the accident, as the engineers were unconscious for about 50 minutes before being found.

The engineer also condemned management's response after the tragedy, stating that they held a meeting claiming no fault on their part or the victims', blaming only the suppliers. He added that safety violations had been repeatedly reported over the years, with previous fatalities also blamed on workers rather than management. Hazi Schwartzman, head of the Safety Administration at the Ministry of Labor, submitted an expert opinion to the police regarding the tank contents.

The Ashdod refinery issued a statement expressing condolences to the families and noted that the investigation is ongoing, preventing further comment. The company emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe work environment and investing significant resources in employee safety.