Six Thai workers injured in blast near Israel-Lebanon border

Six Thai workers were injured after unexploded ordnance left from fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border detonated in an orchard near the northern Israeli town of Metula on Tuesday morning (August 18).

Two of the workers were seriously injured, one sustained moderate injuries and three were slightly injured, according to Israeli emergency services.

Israeli police sent officers to examine the scene, while bomb-disposal specialists continued inspecting the area for additional explosive remnants.

Authorities warned members of the public not to touch shrapnel, interceptor-missile fragments or other pieces of military equipment found in the area. Anyone encountering a suspicious or unidentified object was advised to keep their distance and notify the police immediately.

The incident follows prolonged fighting along Israel’s northern border, which has left unexploded ordnance scattered across some locations.

Emergency services alerted shortly before 7am

Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency medical service, said it received a report at 6.52am local time that several people had been injured in an explosion at an orchard near Metula.

Moti Barel, a senior MDA emergency medical technician, said the injured workers were conscious when emergency teams arrived and had wounds across different parts of their bodies.

Medical teams assessed the casualties according to the severity of their injuries, controlled bleeding and administered medication at the scene.

They then coordinated with Israeli military medical teams to transport the injured workers to hospital by helicopter and ambulance, with treatment continuing during the journey.

Three workers were flown to Rambam Hospital. Two were in a serious condition after suffering multiple injuries, while the third was moderately injured with a wound to the chest.

The other three workers sustained minor injuries and were taken to Ziv Hospital.

Old explosive device suspected

The Metula Local Council said the explosion occurred in a nectarine orchard near the town.

Initial assessments indicated that it was caused by old unexploded ordnance left in the area that had not previously been detected or made safe.

The council confirmed that all six people injured were Thai workers.

Local authorities said there was no indication of an ongoing security incident and that activities in Metula were continuing as normal.

Police renew warning over remnants of fighting

The explosion prompted Israeli authorities to renew warnings about the continuing danger posed by unexploded ordnance remaining from fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Police urged the public to avoid touching unidentified metal objects or fragments of weapons, including shrapnel, missile debris and other military remnants.

Anyone finding such an object should move away from it and contact the authorities so trained officers can inspect and remove it safely.

Source: Ynet News