Minister Ben-Eliezer: Haifa Bay dangerous like nuclear bomb

Inspectors on behalf of Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry investigating circumstances of Haifa refineries' gas leak which claimed lives of three workers. Ben-Eliezer says will close site down he it continues to pose danger

Attila Somfalvi|Published: 11.24.10 , 11:58

A day after the gas leak that killed three people and left several others injured, Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer addressed the perils of Haifa Bay where the refineries are located. "I have been warning about the area's danger for years. It's as serious as a nuclear bomb."

Ben-Eliezer expressed hope than in time the site will be evacuated. "If I see that the area continues to pose danger I will have it closed," he stated. The Industry Ministry's inspectors have launched an investigation into the event and will be looking into the possibility of negligence.

The incident claimed the lives of Samer al-Hajj, 18, George Za'atrah, 31, and Tamer Marjiah, 33 from the village of Yafia near Nazareth. Eight victims are hospitalized at northern medical centers after inhaling gas. The condition of one of the victims remains serious.

A preliminary investigation of the event suggests that one of the workers fell ill while working. Three of his friends who came to assist him and were not wearing protective gear inhaled toxic gas.

The Haifa District director at the Environmental Protection Ministry, Shlomo Katz said that the gas leak was an isolated event and that the substances are not in danger of affecting nearby residents.