One killed in Israel pharma plant blast
28 May 2013
On May 24 one person died and 31 were injured in an explosion and fire at the Teva-Tech pharmaceutical manufacturing facility at Ramat Hovav, Israel. A preliminary investigation showed the incident was most likely caused by a malfunctioning reactor. The injured suffered primarily from smoke inhalation and light burns.
Representatives of the Environmental Protection Ministry monitored the area to ensure that no leaks of hazardous materials were posing any additional risk.
Following the explosion, Ramat Hovav Council ordered that an inquiry committee investigate the incident. Committee representatives will include a member of the Economy and Trade Ministry, an environmental specialist and a local councilperson.
Teva issued a statement sending its "condolences for the loss," adding that the company was "keeping in close touch with the injured and their families in order to make sure that all their needs, resulting from this incident, are met."