One person was killed in an explosion in northern Israel on Monday afternoon. Nineteen others were injured. The incident occurred in the area of Mitzpeh Pe’er near the border with Lebanon. According to initial findings, an unexploded ordnance is believed to have detonated there. The exact circumstances are under investigation.
Among those affected are students and teachers from the ORT Yeshiva High School in Ma’alot-Tarshiha, who were participating in a school trip. Israeli media had initially reported around 20 injured. One fatality has since been confirmed. The number of injured now stands at 19 according to the latest available information.
פיצוץ נפל התחמושת בגליל העליון: הפצועים נמנו עם קבוצת תלמידים שביקרה במקום, אחד מהם במצב אנוש. כוחות צה”ל הוקפצו לזירה
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The Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue service received the first report of the explosion at 2:53 p.m. Numerous emergency responders were subsequently dispatched to the area, including 14 ambulances and several intensive care transport vehicles. Three rescue helicopters were also scrambled to treat the injured and transport them to hospitals.
As reported by the Israeli news portal Ynet, Itzik Shushan, head of the MDA Jordan region, stated that rescue teams had found several people with varying degrees of injuries at the scene. Eight of the injured were initially classified as seriously or moderately injured. Additional individuals sustained minor injuries. Medical treatment and transport to hospitals were initiated immediately.
According to Ynet, the municipal administration of Ma’alot-Tarshiha confirmed that students and staff from the local school were among those affected. Mayor Moti Ben David and municipal staff made their way to the scene immediately after the incident became known, in order to coordinate with rescue services and the relevant authorities.
The Israeli Ministry of Education also responded to the incident. Efforts are being made in conjunction with the relevant authorities and specialists to provide support to the affected students, teachers, and families.
Israeli police cordoned off the area. Explosives experts are examining the blast site to determine the origin of the ordnance and the exact circumstances of the detonation. Police urged the public not to approach the area and to immediately report any suspicious objects or potential unexploded ordnance by calling the police emergency number 100.
The Israeli military also took part in the rescue operation. According to the IDF, the circumstances of the incident are under investigation. The origin of the exploded device and what caused it to detonate were initially unknown.
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