Two women declared dead due to suspected oxygen suit malfunctions at Ashdod oil refinery

Two women were found dead at the Ashdod oil refinery after suspected malfunctions in their oxygen suits. Despite quick medical intervention, efforts to revive them failed. Investigations suggest a possible issue with their suits' airflow, leading to their tragic deaths. Authorities are investigating the incident.

On Wednesday, two women were tragically declared dead after being discovered unresponsive in a laboratory at the Ashdod oil refinery. Their lives were cut short when they were found in a critical state, and despite the swift response of United Hatzalah’s paramedics, efforts to revive them proved futile. Early investigations suggest a malfunction in their oxygen suits may have prevented them from receiving the necessary airflow, leading to the fatal outcome.

The Ashdod refinery was struck with sorrow as two women were discovered lifeless in their protective gear, trapped in a sealed environment. Workers at the site immediately contacted the in-house first aid team, which provided initial treatment before the arrival of emergency responders. Despite the team's best efforts, the women could not be revived, and their deaths were confirmed shortly after.

First Response and Emergency Measures

Upon receiving the alarm from the refinery’s workers, United Hatzalah paramedics quickly reached the scene and began performing life-saving procedures. Unfortunately, despite their best attempts, they were unable to restore the women’s vital signs. Speculation surrounding the cause of death centers on a potential oxygen supply failure within the suits, raising fears of a dangerous malfunction. As the situation unfolded, the refinery's in-house team worked tirelessly to stabilize the victims, but despite their efforts, the women remained unresponsive.

The facility itself cooperated fully with emergency services and relevant authorities as the investigation into the incident began. The police, Fire and Rescue Services, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection were all notified and are now part of the ongoing inquiry. As the investigation progresses, the refinery has committed to a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Police Investigation

The Israel Police have launched an official investigation into the incident. While no conclusive findings have been made, authorities are actively working to identify the root cause of the oxygen suit failure. Police confirmed that there is no immediate danger of hazardous materials leaking from the refinery, and the general public is not at risk. The investigation will continue to probe all factors contributing to the malfunction, including any potential design or maintenance flaws in the safety equipment used by the workers.

Ammonia Leak Incident

In a separate event, emergency crews responded to an ammonia leak at a factory located in Tel Yosef, near Beit Shean. The situation escalated when a sudden breach of the facility prompted a rapid response from seven fire squads. The leak resulted in a release of ammonia into the building, causing a dangerous cloud of the toxic substance to spread. However, after performing air quality checks, the Northern District Fire and Rescue Services confirmed that the external environment remained unaffected, and no public health threat emerged from the incident.

Conclusion and Ongoing Investigation

These incidents have prompted concerns regarding industrial safety practices across Israel. While the investigation into the tragic deaths at the Ashdod refinery is still underway, authorities are working to determine the specific cause of the oxygen suit malfunction and to evaluate whether any safety protocols need to be improved. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available, with the goal of ensuring that such an incident does not happen again in the future.

Sources:

• The Times of Israel
• Jerusalem Post
• Haaretz
• Two women declared dead after suspected oxygen suit failures at Ashdod oil refinery