5-year-old boy killed by donkey near Mitzpe Ramon

Child safety group says that since 2012, eight children have died in accidents involving animals, six of them members of Bedouin communities

A five-year-old boy was killed Sunday after he was apparently attacked by a donkey near Mitzpe Ramon.

Medics evacuated him by helicopter in critical condition to Beersheba’s Soroka Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving.

Police opened an investigation into the incident.

According to the Beterem child safety activism group, since 2012, eight children have died in accidents involving animals, six of them members of Bedouin communities.

Beterem CEO Orly Silbinger that Bedouin children are at the highest risk of being injured in an accident of any kind.

“Poor infrastructure and living conditions and the environment directly affect the safety of children,” she said. “Beterem, together with officials and civil activists, are working hard in the Bedouin community to promote information programs, training and raising awareness, but only a massive investment by the government can bring about the necessary change and save children’s lives.”