25 lightly injured, family narrowly escapes, as military drone crashes into home

Israel Aerospace Industries says aircraft was on test flight; mother and children were downstairs as building’s top floor destroyed

Twenty-five people, including 13 children, were treated for smoke inhalation Tuesday after an unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to Israel Aerospace Industries crashed onto the roof of a home in the village of Zalafa, in the northern Wadi Ara area.

Four firetrucks rushed to the scene to deal with the resultant blaze. Extensive damage was caused to the building.

A spokesman for the company said the vehicle was in the midst of a test flight when it crashed. Reports suggested it may have been a Heron 1 drone.

Officials have launched an investigation.

Husam Jabarin called the incident “a disaster.”

“My entire house is destroyed,” he said.

“My wife and four children were on the bottom floor and the plane hit the top floor. Thank God the kids are okay, but my wife felt sick and is in hospital,” Jabarin told Channel 2.

“No one has talked to us,” Jabarin charged. “All my property is gone.”