1 killed, 9 injured in pipeline explosion in the south

One person was killed and nine more were injured Monday after a pipeline carrying hydrochloric acid exploded at a pumping station at a quarry located nine kilometers south of Ein Yahav, in the south of Israel. One of the injured men was in critical condition, three in serious condition and five suffered minor injuries.

The four men who were unconscious as a result of their injuries, were airlifted to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba after receiving initial treatment from paramedics on the scene. All the injuries were to the mens’ respiratory systems caused by inhaling the harmful substance.

Police said the explosion at the Mekorot water pumping facility occurred while an underground pipe was being flushed with the acid in order to clean it..

Highway 90 south of Ein Yahav was closed off. Environmental Protection Ministry inspectors who arrived on the scene shortly after the explosion said the chemical leak did not pose a risk to people in the surrounding area.

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