Gas Leak at Intel Plant in Kiryat Gat Follows Deadly Explosion

Employees at the plant detected the leak and alerted emergency services, prompting some workers to shelter in place. Fire and rescue teams from the Ashkelon regional station, along with specialized hazardous materials units, responded to the scene to monitor the area, stabilize the situation, and collect substance samples for identification.

According to Hamal and Ice, the leak was detected in the parking lot while investigators from the Ministry of Labor and other bodies were probing the previous explosion. Authorities are examining whether the leak resulted from the ongoing investigation or another cause. According to Bizportal, the substance involved was nitrogen trifluoride, a hazardous gas used in chip manufacturing.

Officials confirmed that the leak was contained within the factory grounds and posed no danger to residents in the surrounding area. No injuries were reported in connection with this latest incident. The previous week's explosion, which occurred on Wednesday, October 14, involved a technical failure and the rupture of an industrial tank containing eight tons of nitrogen trifluoride.