Explosion at Technion university lab, one seriously injured

Paramedics rushed to the scene and evacuated the injured man, badly burned, to Rambam Medical Center.

By World Israel News Staff

A 60-year-old man was seriously injured on Sunday morning in an explosion in a Technion University laboratory in Haifa, Ynet reports.

The explosion occurred at the Technion’s Materials Engineering Faculty building.

Magen David Adom paramedics gave the man initial treatment and sent him to to Rambam Medical Center in the city.

MDA senior paramedic Dan Foreman said: “We linked up with firefighters and workers at the facility who led us to the building near the site of the incident. The injured man had been moved there.

“He was unconscious with burns all over and injuries to his upper body. We gave him life-saving medical care, included for the burns, gave him painkillers and a respirator and we sent him in serious condition to the hospital,” he said.

Ten firefighters reportedly are monitoring the presence of hazardous substances in the air, Ynet reports.

A firefighter said that “the explosion caused a lot of damage to the floor where it took place. Most of the firefighters continue to scan the structure, to prevent additional casualties and simultaneously perform monitoring operations, and counter the leakage of hazardous materials.”

Shortly after the blast, the automatic water sprinklers were activated in the area, extinguishing a fire started by the explosion.

Technion University said, “The Technion’s management is now at the location and an initial investigation into the circumstances of the incident are under way.”