Two powerful explosions at a military industries plant near Ramat Hasharon today injured nine workers and caused minor injuries to six children at a nearby school, mostly from flying glass. The workers, taken to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba, were reported tonight to be in fair condition.
The blasts, which police immediately termed an accident not related to any terrorist act, caused damage estimated in the tens of millions of Israeli Pound to homes and shops near the plant. Some 700 families have already filed for compensation with the local police. In some instances, huge fragments of iron and steel penetrated tile roots and brick walls. The roots of many buildings were destroyed as were windows, doors and shutters. The explosions shattered windows in Herzliya, miles away. The Defense Ministry is expected to pay compensation for the damages.
The explosions occurred at midday. Police and civil defense officials evacuated the population and cordoned off the area. Teams of engineers were sent to inspect the damaged civilian property which was placed under police guard pending repairs.
Although the explosions were apparently accidental — similar explosions at the same plant rocked the area two years ago — the terrorist radio in Beirut claimed they were the result of time bombs planted in the installation by an EI Fatah unit named after Abu Hassan Salameh, a terrorist leader Killed by a bomb in Beirut several months ago. According to the terrorists, more than 50 of the “Zionist enemy” were Killed.
The factory, when built, was well isolated from populated areas. But the expansion of suburbs in recent years brought homes and schools close to its perimeter fence.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
