Police on Sunday opened an investigation into an incident that took place yesterday, in which a man was seriously injured in Ashkelon after a rocket exploded after touching it – despite the prohibition.
According to testimonies taken from witnesses who arrived at the scene of the explosion in the city and examination of the scene by sappers, it emerged that the source of the explosion stemmed from part of a rocket that fell after it was intercepted by an Iron Dome missile, which the person apparently touched in good faith – which initiated the explosion.
Due to the incident, the police issued a warning to the public stating that it is strictly forbidden to touch, press the front, approach, lift or shake any rocket item or unidentified object, for fear that it may contain explosives and pose a real danger to human life. Therefore, the police say that if you encounter shrapnel from a rocket, you should move away from the scene, remove others – and report it immediately to the police.
Police warning, photo: Police Spokesperson's Office
In its appeal, the police also asked parents to talk to their children about the issue and warn them of the dangers inherent in contact with rocket fragments.
Meanwhile, remnants of rockets fired at Jerusalem last Friday were found in the city, when in one case shrapnel was found in the playground of a kindergarten in the western part of the city, by a kindergarten teacher. In the other case, the remains were located at a development work site in the center of the capital.
The police once again called on the public to obey the instructions and refrain from gathering in areas where missiles fall even after many minutes, as this could endanger human life. In the event that a remnant of a rocket was found, the police asked to call 100 immediately.
Shrapnel from the rocket found in a kindergarten in Jerusalem // Photo: Israel Police Spokesperson's Office
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