Click to see full-size image. Source: The Times of Israel, via Twitter.
Late on June 22, a large blast rocked the site of a former munition factory of Israel Military Industries (IMI) in the central Israeli city of Herzliya.
The blast was heard across the central region, part of cities like Ramat Gan, Givatayim, Kiryat Ono, Hod Hasharon, and Rosh Ha’ayin. Residents in Herzliya and nearby areas reported an unusual smell after the blast as well as a burning sensation in the eyes.
A crater with a diameter of about seven meters was formed at the site of the explosion, according to Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services. The residents of the area were ordered to close the windows and stay inside, out of concern that harmful gasses were released by the blast.
The blast occurred near the site of a former munition factory, where a similar explosion killed two people and wounded more than 60 others in 1992. The plant was closed around five years later after the accident.
In a statement, the Israeli Defense Forces said that military activity in the area was ruled out as the reason for the large blast.
IMI Systems was one of Israel’s largest defense contractors. It manufactured weapons, munitions and military technology mainly for IDF and security forces. In 2018, Elbit Systems completed the acquisition of IMI and renamed it to Elbit Systems Land.
The blast in Herzliya came amid high tensions between Israel and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. This led to speculation of sabotage. However, the current information indicates that the blast was just an accident.
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