Jerusalem Carbon Monoxide Leak Hospitalizes 16 Women and Girls from Illegal Generator Use

Israeli police detained three suspects for investigation on Wednesday over the operation of an illegal generator inside a hair salon in the Abu Tor neighborhood of East Jerusalem. The generator emitted carbon monoxide (CO), causing severe poisoning among at least 16 victims, all women and girls, who were present in the salon at the time.

The victims were evacuated to Hadassah Medical Center facilities, with five women taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital in moderate condition and ten others, including four girls and six women, transported to Hadassah Mount Scopus. Seven of those at Mount Scopus were in moderate condition, while the rest were in mild condition. Due to the severity of the CO poisoning, a complex medical operation was launched to transfer most patients to a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at Hadassah Ein Kerem for specialized treatment to remove the toxic gas from their bodies. In total, 16 patients are expected to receive this treatment.

Firefighters and emergency teams continue to monitor and ventilate the salon to clear the toxic gas. The building has been fully evacuated, and police commander Deputy Superintendent Shalom Cohen is overseeing the investigation on site. Authorities emphasized that swift firefighting actions prevented the gas from spreading further, ensuring no danger to nearby residents or passersby.

The police are conducting a thorough criminal investigation to determine the suspects' responsibility for the negligent operation of the illegal generator, which endangered dozens of women and girls. The incident highlights the dangers of unauthorized and unsafe use of generators in enclosed spaces.