Two Netanya residents injured in car explosion

Two men were injured early Sunday when their vehicle exploded in Netanya, in an apparent car bombing.

According to initial reports, a man in his 30s was seriously injured and a 24-year-old man was moderately injured in the explosion. The two, both residents of the city, were taken to Laniado Hospital in Netanya for treatment.

Police said they recovered remains of a “munition” inside the car, apparently the cause of the men’s injuries. The fragments of the device were taken away for forensic examination.

Though the circumstances surrounding the blast were not initially clear, investigators believe the incident was related to conflicts between organized crime groups, according to Hebrew media reports. Army Radio reported that both men were known to the police.

A Magen David Adom paramedic who attended the scene said he found the seriously injured man lying next to the vehicle, conscious and with shrapnel wounds. The second man was found walking around near the vehicle with burn injuries. They were both treated at the scene and then transported to the hospital. The medic said the car itself had scorch marks and was badly damaged.

The incident occurred on Derech Harakevet Street, next to the train station in the coastal city. Police arrived after receiving a report of an explosion close to the station parking lot.

Police said that part of the parking lot will remain closed on Sunday and that congestion was likely to develop in the area.