An 80-year old man was killed, and several people were injured due to a partial building collapse on Jerusalem’s Keren Kayemet Boulevard on Monday, United Hatzalah said.
“A man in his 80s was rescued by fire crews while lifeless,” a United Hatzalah paramedic said. “Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severe injuries he suffered.”
According to the Fire and Rescue Authority, a second-floor balcony in the 3-story building collapsed onto a ground-floor restaurant, causing significant damage.
Two trapped victims were rescued early on by civilians in the area, the authority added.
Israel Police said later on Sunday that a total of five people were rescued with minor injuries.
A senior MDA paramedic described his experience in the rescue efforts, having been nearby when the collapse occured.
“I was on a nearby street when I suddenly heard a loud noise. I rushed to the source of the noise and saw in the distance a balcony that had collapsed on a business, extensive destruction, and frightened people who needed help,” the paramedic said. “I immediately reported the incident to the MDA hotline and went to the scene with my immediate response vehicle.”
‘Frightened, injured people’
He added that MDA rescue efforts were assisted by several civilians in the area.
“We arrived at the scene in large numbers and noticed a number of frightened, injured people coming towards us, and a man trapped among all the rubble in critical condition,” MDA paramedics said. “While the firefighters were carrying out the rescue operations, we began providing medical treatment to a woman aged about 80 and two young men aged about 16 and 17 in light condition with abrasions on their bodies, who were evacuated to the hospital.”
United Hatzalah said they provided assistance to several victims with minor injuries, as well as others suffering from anxiety-related symptoms.
Police ask public to avoid area
One of the victims was brought to Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center in light condition, the hospital confirmed.
Israel Police officers are assisting rescue teams on site and have asked the public to avoid the area, noting that roads leading to the collapse site have been blocked.
Police said they are investigating the circumstances of the collapse and evaluating the structure’s integrity.
