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Rescue forces at blast scene
Photo: Ido Erez
Rescue forces arrive at scene
Photo: George Ginsberg
Scene of blast
Photo: Niv Raz

Blast rocks Netanya building; 11 hurt

Loud blast shakes Netanya industrial zone Friday evening; building partially collapses in explosion. Rescue forces rush to the scene, officials say most victims are apparently foreign workers from China

Eleven people were wounded Friday evening after a loud blast rocked a building in Netanya's industrial zone.

 

 

Two people sustained moderate wounds in the explosion and nine others were lightly hurt, officials said. Rescue forces at the site were continuing their search for more victims.

 

The wounded were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Five of them were released shortly thereafter.

The blast, which occurred in an apartment complex located above a restaurant in a three-story building, was apparently the result of an electrical malfunction, officials said initially, but later reported that the cause was not yet clear. Some of the building collapsed as result of the blast. 

 

The site of the blast is close to a banquet hall, initially raising fears of a major disaster. Additional explosions were reported following the first blast, with glass shreds spreading across the scene.

 

Firefighters at site (Photo: Ido Erez)

 

The force of the blast also destroyed a fence separating lanes in a nearby road, prompting the street's closure.

 

Building partially collapsed. (Photo: Ido Erez)

 

'We saw flames'

The explosion was reported around 8:45 pm, prompting police and rescue services to rush to the scene.  

 

Magen David Adom ambulance service said most blast victims are apparently foreign workers from China.

 

Shortly after the blast, eyewitness Rani Kurtzan told Ynet: "We heard a load explosion and saw flames and a cloud of smoke." 

 

Last month, three women and one man were killed and some 90 others were wounded in a gas blast that rocked a four-story building adjacent to Independence Square in downtown Netanya.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.15.11, 21:17
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