MK Dov Khenin (Hadash), chairman of the Knesset’s Joint Committee on Environment and Health, warned of the dangers that glitches in pipe systems can cause and called for firmer regulations in response to Monday’s explosion in the South. “Time and time again we see that the status quo in the field of hazardous materials in Israel is forfeiting the lives and health of citizens, workers and bystanders,” Khenin said. “Glitches in hazardous materials are not inevitable and we can prevent them but in order to do this, a true revolution in regulations of this field is required.”

Such new regulations, Khenin explained, should include high standards for hazardous material facilities as well as for all the transmission systems associated with the plants. “I intend to convene the committee to discuss the accident that occurred and the lessons that need to be learned from it from corner to corner,” Khenin said.

The Arava’s Mekorot site (Photo: Mekorot)

Hector Sigal from Rehovot was killed, and ten were injured on Monday when a pipe of flowing hydrochloric acid exploded at a drilling installation operated by the Mekorot water company near Ein Yahav in the Arava region of the South. The injured were evacuated by helicopters and ambulances to Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba. One person was in critical condition, four in serious condition, and five others were lightly injured.