An 80-year old man was killed, and three people are trapped due to a partial building collapse on Jerusalem’s Keren Kayemet Boulevard on Monday, United Hatzalah said.
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, and two of the three still trapped are known to be conscious.
“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.”
First responders are on scene providing assistance to several conscious victims, according to United Hatzalah, with MDA describing them as in mild condition.
“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 four elderly victims with minor injuries, as well as several suffering from anxiety-related symptoms.
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 incident.