The blast mystery that shook Tamra: "can be caused by any small spark"

Investigators continue to investigate the large-scale explosion in the industrial area, causing serious injuries to four tankers. Among other things, we tested whether a tanker was not completely emptied of dangerous material - contrary to the instructions. "It could have ended in a heavy disaster with the dead"

The blast mystery that shook Tamra: "can be caused by any small spark"

The situation of the four workers of the Tamra tanker workshop, injured in the explosion on Monday, continues to be difficult. The four, who are hospitalized for respiratory intensive care at Rambam Hospital when they are anesthetized and breathed, suffer severe burns but are not in danger to their lives.

Investigators from the North County Fire Department and North County Fire and Rescue Services are still investigating the causes of the explosion. The big blast looks and sounds far away. Security footage collected from nearby businesses in the Tamra industrial area shows the large gas cloud floating by the tanker locks, as well as several people on the scene.

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Explosion scene in the Tamra industrial zone, today (Photo: operational documentation, firefighting and rescue to Israel)

People injured in a blast at a garage in Tamra, January 20, 2020 (Photo: Documentation of Fire and Rescue Operations for Israel, official website)

Professionals explained that in the event of large-scale gas leakage, anyone in the area where the gas vapor comes from may be injured. According to them, "Even those who are on the edge of the gas cloud may hit harder."

It is unclear why the workshop workers and people gathered near him did not leave when they noticed the gas fumes. "Every little spark can cause the explosion we've seen," the expert explained. "It could be a spark from a nearby car, a cell phone, and even a garment fiber."

Explosion scene, today (Photo: operational documentation, firefighting and rescue to Israel)

People injured in a blast at a garage in Tamra, January 20, 2020 (Photo: Documentation of Fire and Rescue Operations for Israel, official website)

Bian Matri, aide to Tamra Mayor Dr Suhail Diab, said, “Now all the attention is directed to the recovery of the injured. Later, we will probably want to know what happened there. We are waiting for the investigation to end. "During the day, the mayor visited the wounded and their families in the hospital. One wounded is a resident of Tamra, two injured in Acre and another is addictive.

In the tanker frame in which the explosion occurred, specializing in the sealing of trailing tankers, mainly tankers where fuel and gas are transported. It is still unclear what led to the serious accident. The municipality of Tamra noted that this is a decades-old business that holds all the necessary permits. Among other things, it will be examined whether the garage reached a tanker today without being completely emptied, and when there was still gas inside - contrary to the instructions.

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Explosion scene, today (Photo: operational documentation, firefighting and rescue to Israel)

People injured in a blast at a garage in Tamra, January 20, 2020 (Photo: Documentation of Fire and Rescue Operations for Israel, official website)

According to Nidal Otman, Deputy Mayor of Tamra, "This is a very difficult event that caused casualties and it could have been even more difficult and ended in a heavy disaster and with fatalities. We believe the investigation will reveal what caused this."

Ottman noted that garage workers had left the work area when they noticed the gas leak, but two of them went back inside to try to stop the leak from the tanker, and then the explosion, probably as a result of a spark. He also came to the hospital today with the mayor, saying that the Tamra Municipality's welfare department is escorting the family of the injured resident of the city.