Israeli sources reported on Tuesday that a huge blast rocked an explosives factory in Zichron Yaakov, in northern Israel, killing one man and injuring two others.
The huge explosion was heard in the entire area as large medical teams and police forces rushed to the scene.
Israeli online daily Ynetnews reported that as a result of the highly sensitive nature of the plant, rescue forces faced delays before they were able to enter the site and evacuate the wounded.
Nir Isrerlis, one of Magen David Adom paramedics said that the explosion took place in an open area far away from the main buildings of the factory.
“When we arrived at the scene we found two wounded people still conscious and suffering mostly from burns apparently caused by a chemical substance", Isrerlis added.
The Israeli Labor and Welfare Ministry, as well as the Environment Ministry, are expected to probe the incident to determine the causes of the explosion.
The plant employs 29 people, most of them residents of Zichron Yaakov. An accident at the site 20 years ago also killed one employee.
A month and a half ago, four people were hurt in an explosion at a weapons plant near the northern town of Acco.
The plant mostly produces explosive materials earmarked for the civilian market.
The responsibility over the factory was transferred last week, from the local council to the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
