Second factory worker injured in suspected gas cylinder explosion at Intel plant pronounced dead

A second worker injured in an explosion at Intel’s Kiryat Gat plant on Wednesday has died at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, bringing the death toll to two.

The first worker was pronounced dead on Wednesday, while a third was seriously injured and taken to Soroka.

Israel's Fire and Rescue Authority initially warned that hazardous chemicals may have leaked following the explosion, and said the incident involved nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), a non-flammable gas with oxidizing properties.

Intel’s Kiryat Gat factory, also known as FAB 28, manufactures semiconductor chips used in the company’s processors. The facility is one of Intel’s key manufacturing sites in Israel and supports the company’s global semiconductor production.

The explosion occurred as two trucks were unloading nitrogen into tanks at the facility. One truck had completed its delivery when the blast hit during the transfer from the second truck.

Hazardous materials suspected to be involved

Kiryat Gat Mayor Kfir Swisa told N12 following the incident on Wednesday that hazardous materials were suspected to be involved.

“This appears to be a hazardous materials incident. I issued instructions and asked people not to approach the area,” he said.

The precise stage at which the explosion occurred remains unclear, although an unusual malfunction is suspected.