Highway to Eilat blocked off after oil spill

Traffic heading to the southern city of Eilat was blocked off after a major crude oil spill flooded the road leading into the city, Israel Radio reported Wednesday night.

Environmental protection workers were cooperating with firefighters in an attempt to contain the spill. No injuries or property damage were reported.

Traffic on Route 90, Israel’s longest road and the main route of access into Eilat, was affected in both directions between Ketura and Eilat, roughly 50 kilometers (30 miles) apart. Traffic police were directing drivers toward an alternate road.

Initial investigations indicated the source of the spill was a leaking pipeline, struck accidentally during maintenance work.