Three people were seriously injured in a blast at an Intel factory in Kiryat Gat on Wednesday, caused by what Israel Police suspect to be a gas cylinder explosion.
Israel's Fire and Rescue Authority initially warned that hazardous chemicals may have leaked following the explosion. Firefighters worked to identify the source of the chemicals and extinguish the ensuing fire, which has since been put out.
The Fire and Rescue Authority said the incident involved nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), a non-flammable gas with oxidizing properties.
Following the explosion, Mayor Kfir Suissa said, "After an on-site assessment of the situation in cooperation with all relevant parties, the fire at the factory was completely extinguished. As of this time, there are no special instructions for residents, and there is no danger to the public. We ask that you not come to the area of the incident, in order to allow the security and rescue forces to complete their work at the scene without interruption."
Intel’s Kiryat Gat factory, also known as FAB 28, manufactures semiconductor chips used in the company’s processors. The facility is one of Intel’s key manufacturing sites in Israel and plays a role in the company’s global semiconductor production operations.
Three in serious condition after Intel blast in Kiryat Gat
United Hatzalah medical teams treated three people who suffered burns across their bodies following the incident in Kiryat Gat, the emergency medical service said.
Yanaki Weinberg, deputy head of United Hatzalah’s Kiryat Gat branch, and paramedic Moshe Winfeld said they treated a man around 45 who was critically injured and suffered burns across his body. He was transported by a United Hatzalah ambulance to meet an intensive care ambulance while resuscitation efforts were underway. The team delivered two electric shocks using a defibrillator during the journey, and the man's heart miraculously began beating again. He was then transferred to Soroka Medical Center by intensive care ambulance.
Hila Rinkoff and Zvi Levin, paramedics with a second United Hatzalah ambulance team at the scene, said they evacuated another man, around 30, who was also critically injured, to meet an intensive care ambulance while resuscitation efforts were underway.
A third man, around 25, was treated at the scene and evacuated in moderate-to-serious condition, they added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with MDA director-general Eli Bin to inquire about the condition of those injured in the explosion, the Prime Minister’s Office said later on Wednesday.
The prime minister wished the injured a speedy recovery and thanked the emergency responders for acting quickly and decisively, the statement added.