Kiryat Gat:At least three individuals sustained serious injuries following an explosion at an Intel semiconductor factory located in the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Gat. The incident occurred on Wednesday, with Israeli media reporting the details of the event.
According to Anadolu Agency, the explosion is suspected to have been triggered by the detonation of a gas cylinder, as indicated by Israeli police. The Jerusalem Post further reported that three people were seriously injured, citing Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service.
The explosion possibly led to a leak of hazardous chemicals, as noted by Israel's Fire and Rescue Authority. Emergency teams are actively working to identify the source of the chemical leak and to extinguish the fire that ensued.
Ynet, an Israeli news website, mentioned that the incident involved nitrogen trifluoride, a gas commonly used in semiconductor manufacturing. This prompted specialized hazardous materials teams to undertake monitoring and risk assessments. Firefighters have successfully brought the blaze under control.
Earlier efforts included the deployment of eight firefighting and rescue teams, along with specialized hazardous materials units from nearby stations. The exact cause of the explosion remains unconfirmed. Intel's Kiryat Gat facility is known for manufacturing semiconductor chips, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.