Falling rocks “the size of a car” killed a small boy and injured at least eight others during a collapse near the Dead Sea in Israel Thursday, according to emergency services and a witness.
Local authorities with the help of an Israeli military helicopter rushed to rescue many people trapped under heavy rubble on a popular hiking trail in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Some victims were sent to a nearby hospital.
Blood on the rock near the site of the rock slide that occurred in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.AP
The boy, who was hiking with his family, was found unconscious and could not be revived, Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said.
The age range for the victims was between 4 and 40 years old, officials said.
Israeli rescuers gather during a rescue operation.AFP via Getty Images
“You can see rocks the size of cars falling down,” Yonatan Bar David, who was at the site with his family, told Kan Radio.
Two other children were hospitalized with minor injuries.
He also said the moment happened in “an instant”.
Terrain near the rock slide site.AP
“It all happened in one shot without warning,” he told the media, according to the Jerusalem Post. “The rocks hit the ground, creating a cloud of dust. At first, you can’t see anything.”
“This is a difficult day and a terrible disaster,” Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman said, according to the outlet.
“I offer my condolences to the family members of the child who died while traveling with his family and pray for the recovery of those who were injured.”
Inspectors from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority assessed the site.AP
The situation becomes more complicated because the area where the landslide occurred is difficult to reach.
It was not immediately known what caused the rockfalls, which usually occur when heavy rains or earthquakes hit the area.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
