Jerusalem, 11 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Two women in their 50s died on Wednesday at a refinery in Ashdod after losing consciousness while working in a laboratory area. Early reports suggest a malfunction in their oxygen suits may have prevented them from receiving adequate air.
Magen David Adom (MDA) teams rushed to the scene after receiving emergency calls. “When we arrived, both women were unconscious, with no pulse or breathing,” said paramedic Hila Bizawi. “We performed prolonged CPR, including chest compressions and medication, but unfortunately, we had no choice but to declare them dead at the scene.”
The refinery’s emergency protocols were immediately activated. Its certified first-aid team began initial treatment before MDA personnel arrived. Firefighters then conducted scans and monitoring to detect any hazardous materials, and authorities confirmed there is no current risk to the surrounding community.
In a statement, the refinery said: “A safety incident occurred at our laboratory earlier today. Two employees were injured and received immediate on-site treatment. Reports have been sent to the police, fire department, Ministry of Environmental Protection, and other relevant authorities. We are investigating the cause of the incident and will provide updates as the situation develops.”
Police and fire officials are examining whether the deaths were caused solely by equipment failure, environmental hazards, or a combination of factors. Authorities have not ruled out other possibilities and are carefully reviewing safety procedures and suit functionality.
The incident comes amid heightened attention to industrial safety in Israel.
Less than a month ago, a building collapse at a factory in Yeruham resulted in a release of hazardous chemicals, including sodium carbonate, though no casualties were reported. Separately, during the June 2025 conflict with Iran, three employees at the Bazan factories in Haifa were killed in a missile strike.
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