One worker killed in tunnel collapse near Beit She’an
Police: 10 of the trapped were rescued by emergency forces, four reported in light to moderate condition
One person was killed when a tunnel collapsed trapping 11 people at a work site near Beit She’an on Friday.
The other 10 were rescued by the site’s emergency rescue team working together with firefighters. Israel police officers also assisted in the operation.
Four of the injured were reported in light to moderate condition. Police closed the construction site following the incident.
The collapse, according to initial reports, occurred when a crane fell during pumping and drainage work. The incident occurred at a power plant near Kibbutz Reshafim, which sits just south of Beit She’an.
Two of the workmen, ages 18 and 19, were evacuated by helicopter to Emek Medical Center, where they were treated for shock. They were in stable condition.
Two others, who were lightly wounded, were also being treated at the medical center.
The police have also opened an investigation into the circumstances of the accident in cooperation with the Labor and Welfare Ministry.
MK Shelly Yacimovich (Zionist Union), chairwoman of the State Control Committee called for the site’s closure and for a criminal investigation into the contractor.
“The contractor’s license must be revoked until the end of the investigation and a huge banner must be placed at the site explaining its closure,” she said.
According to Yacimovich , Friday’s incident marks the 23rd death this year in the construction industry and a not a single contractor’s license has been revoked. “It’s shocking that human life is so cheap that ‘it’s not worth’ investing in [the] means to protect lives,” she said.
During a meeting held by the committee this week, Yacimovich accused the Ministry of Labor and the Contractors Registrar of dragging their feet while lives continue to be lost.