Police refer Ashdod refinery disaster case to prosecutors six months after engineers’ deaths

Israeli police have forwarded their investigation into a fatal accident at the Ashdod oil refinery to the state prosecutor’s office, six months after two engineers died in the incident. Irina and Nitzan, both senior engineers at the facility, were killed in what has become one of Israel’s most scrutinised industrial disasters. The referral marks a significant step towards potential criminal charges as authorities conclude their preliminary investigation.

Insiders at the refinery have raised serious questions about a chain of alleged safety failures that preceded the tragedy. The specific testing chamber where the two engineers lost their lives is now being prepared for operations to resume, though the exact circumstances surrounding their deaths remain under investigation. Safety protocols and management decisions made in the lead-up to the incident are understood to be central to the police inquiry.

The refinery’s management has stated that it is investing significant managerial attention and resources into establishing a safe working environment going forward. This commitment comes amid heightened scrutiny from regulators and the public regarding industrial safety standards in Israel’s energy sector. The case is expected to prompt wider discussions about workplace safety practices and regulatory oversight at major industrial facilities across the country.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.