A powerful blast rocked an industrial site in the central city of Ramat Hasharon early Tuesday morning, injuring three people and sparking a fire. The cause of the explosion, which occurred at a factory belonging to the Israel Military Industries (IMI), was not immediately clear, but police and emergency responders said the situation was under control.
The injured were a man in his thirties who suffered serious wounds, and two others who sustained light injuries. They were evacuated to nearby hospitals for treatment. The fire and rescue services said they managed to extinguish the flames without the use of hazardous materials.
Witnesses describe bright flash and loud noise
The explosion was so strong that it was seen and heard from several kilometers away. A video captured by a driver’s dashboard camera showed a bright flash of light and a large mushroom of smoke rising from the site. Witnesses said the blast lit up the sky like daylight and shook the ground.
Rotem Biran, a resident of nearby Hod Hasharon who saw the explosion, told Ynet that he and his friends were riding their bicycles when they suddenly noticed the flash. “We saw a large mushroom of smoke above the area. A friend thought we were being bombed,” he said.
Another witness, who lives in Ramat Hasharon, said he heard a loud boom that woke him up. “I thought it was a missile or something. I looked out the window and saw a huge fireball. It was scary,” he said.
IMI factory has history of accidents
The IMI factory in Ramat Hasharon is one of several facilities that produce ammunition and explosives for the Israeli military and security forces. The factory has been operating since the 1950s and has been involved in several accidents and incidents over the years.
In 2011, a fire broke out at the factory, causing damage to several buildings and forcing the evacuation of nearby residents. No injuries were reported in that incident.
In 2014, two workers were killed and two others were injured in an explosion at the factory. The blast was caused by a malfunction in a machine that produces gunpowder.
In 2016, another fire erupted at the factory, sending plumes of smoke into the air. No one was hurt in that incident, but residents complained about the pollution and health risks posed by the factory.
Authorities launch investigation into the blast
The police and the Ministry of Environmental Protection have launched an investigation into the cause of Tuesday’s explosion and its environmental impact. The ministry said it was monitoring the air quality in the area and collecting samples from the site.
The IMI issued a statement expressing regret over the incident and saying it was cooperating with the authorities. The company said it was working to ensure the safety of its employees and the public.
The mayor of Ramat Hasharon, Avi Gruber, said he was in contact with the IMI management and urged them to take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents from happening again. He also thanked the emergency services for their quick response and praised the residents for their calmness.
