Boy, 9, killed in Beitar Illit dumpster blast

A nine-year-old boy was killed Wednesday afternoon in Beitar Illit when a burning dumpster exploded, sending shrapnel into his neck. The blast occurred on Rav Nadvorna Street as a group of children stood near the fire.

Police received the report of a burning recycling bin and an explosion at 100 emergency dispatch in the afternoon. Large rescue forces responded, including officers from the Etzion station in the Judea district, firefighters from Judea Fire and Rescue, and Magen David Adom teams.

The child was evacuated to hospital after receiving life-saving treatment at the scene, but doctors were forced to pronounce him dead. Moshe Fordsham, an ambulance driver with United Hatzalah, said: "While driving in a United Hatzalah ambulance, I heard a powerful explosion."

An initial investigation found that a fire was burning in a waste container when a large number of children gathered nearby, ignoring the danger of standing close to the flames. Shortly afterward, the explosion occurred, causing the boy's fatal injury.

Police sappers who were called to the scene worked through the night examining the area and ruled out the presence of explosives. Police investigators from the Jerusalem district, together with a fire investigator from Judea Fire and Rescue, are continuing to investigate the tragic incident, with the forensic explosives and identification lab collecting evidence at the scene.

Minors in the city may have engaged in dangerous misconduct, lighting fires in various types of garbage bins and waiting nearby as if it were an "attraction," until the arrival of emergency and rescue forces in order to watch their professional activity.

Because of the suspected dangerous prank, Etzion station commander Chief Superintendent Rafi Vaknin spoke with the mayor of Beitar Illit about joint public education and guidance efforts that will begin in the coming days to prevent the next tragedy.

Police together with Fire and Rescue are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the tragic incident. Emergency officials are issuing a call to the public to stay away from any source of fire and to avoid dangerous acts that could lead to disaster.