Factory explosion kills two, injures two in Israel
17 November 2020
A suspected gas explosion killed two workers and injured two others at a metalwork factory in Ashdod, Israel on November 16. According to local media, a preliminary investigation determined that workers had been welding a gas tank when the blast occurred.
The incident happened in the coastal city of Ashdod, around 20 miles (32km) south of Tel Aviv. The workers who died were in their 30s and 40s. One of the men is reported to have been a Palestinian and the other from Turkey.
Two injured workers were rushed to a local hospital where they were reported to be in a moderate to serious condition. Images taken at the scene posted in local media show a destroyed building and emergency responders searching rubble for any possible further casualties.
Some news outlets are reporting that the factory was operating without a licence after it was revoked due to safety issues, but the reports are unconfirmed.