At least 10 people were killed and two injured Tuesday in a fatal road accident northwest of Jerusalem.
Police said the crash was one of the worst in Israel’s history.
The accident occurred when a tractor-trailer swerved out of its lane – apparently to overtake the vehicle in front of it – and crashed into oncoming traffic, crushing and dragging at least two cars several dozen yards.
Police identified eight of the dead as Arab workers from Nazareth, who were heading in van to a building site there.
The other two who died were in a private car. One of them was identified as a male resident of central Israel. The other victim was not immediately identified.
A day of mourning was declared in Nazareth.
The truck driver, a 24-year-old Arab from eastern Jerusalem, sustained light injuries in the accident.
An initial inquiry indicated that the truck driver’s negligence was the cause of the accident. Police were examining whether he fell asleep at the wheel or illegally swerved into the opposite lane.
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