Two killed, six in Ramat Gan scaffolding collapse

The scaffolding at a construction site on Krinitzi Street in Ramat Gan collapsed Thursday afternoon, killing two construction workers, the Israel Police reported

Two other workers suffered severe injuries, three suffered moderate injuries, and one was lightly injured, Magen David Adom reported.

"According to passersby, a crane struck the scaffolding, causing it to collapse and trap a number of construction workers," United Hatzalah volunteers who arrived at the scene said.

Five of the injured were taken to Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva and Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak.

“There’s a scene of great destruction after scaffolding seven stories high collapsed and injured a large number of victims,” one of the rescue workers said.

Following the incident, the police asked the public to avoid the area. Israel Police Insp.-Gen. Kobi Shabtai arrived at the scene and was briefed by the local police commander, Walla reported.

Lahav 433, the National Crime Unit, is investigating the incident, and five suspects were detained and questioned about the collapse, the police said.

“The exact reasons that led to this serious accident require an in-depth investigation by the relevant professional authorities,” said Avi Derix, a board member of the Israeli Association for Safety Engineering at the Bureau of Engineers.

The reasons for the accident

“According to the photos circulated in the media and social media, it appears that the scaffolding that collapsed is upright scaffolding,” he said in a press release. “Upright scaffolding is required to meet the requirements of the Israeli legislation and the requirements of the Occupational Safety Regulations (Construction Works) from 1988. It is not possible to determine the reason for the collapse of the scaffolding from the photos.”