IDF trainee dies on base after suffering apparent allergic reaction
Cpl. Ermias Bahata, 18, collapses at Logistics Corps training base; medical investigation, Military Police probe launched; panel of experts also appointed to investigate
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Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
An Israel Defense Forces trainee collapsed and died due to an apparent allergic reaction while at his base on Thursday, the military announced.
The soldier was named as Cpl. Ermias Bahata, 18, from Ma’ale Adumim. He was posthumously promoted from private to corporal.
Bahata was a trainee at the Logistics Corps training base in southern Israel, where he collapsed and his death was declared a short while later.
It was suspected that the soldier died of an allergic reaction.
The IDF said that the circumstances of Bahata’s death were under investigation, and that a medical investigation was underway.
The Military Police also launched an investigation into the incident, the findings of which will be submitted to the Military Advocate General for review, the IDF said.
Additionally, the chief of the Technological and Logistics Directorate, Maj. Gen. Rami Abudraham appointed a team of experts headed by a colonel to investigate the incident, the military added.
Bahata’s death marked a rare incident of a deadly allergic reaction in the IDF.
In 2015, an IDF trainee, less than three weeks in the army, died days after eating granola containing nuts, to which he had a severe allergy.
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