Intel Kiryat Gat blast: Tank neck failure released 8 tons NF3

New details emerged Thursday evening from the preliminary investigation into Wednesday’s deadly explosion at the Intel plant in Kiryat Gat. According to the findings, the blast was caused when the neck of an industrial tank suddenly broke away from its base, i24NEWS reported.

The tank held approximately 8 tons of the chemical compound NF3 (nitrogen trifluoride) under extremely high pressure. The disconnection of the component led to an immediate, uncontrolled release of the gas into the air with tremendous force.

The sudden release under high-pressure conditions directly caused the fire at the site, even though NF3 itself is not classified as a flammable substance. Nitrogen trifluoride is used in the semiconductor and chip manufacturing industry primarily for advanced cleaning processes of production lines.

The explosion occurred Wednesday at the Intel facility in Kiryat Gat. According to police, the incident involved the explosion of a gas cylinder. Three workers were seriously injured in the blast and evacuated to Soroka Medical Center.

Footage from the scene (Photo: Israel Fire and Rescue Services)

Fire and Rescue Services reported that the fire that broke out following the explosion, which has since been extinguished, involved nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃), a gas that is not flammable but is toxic and dangerous to inhale. The explosion occurred at the plant entrance, apparently as a result of a tanker truck delivering gas to the facility.

One of the injured died Wednesday, and Thursday morning the death of a second victim was confirmed.

An additional injured worker, in his twenties, is hospitalized in the internal intensive care unit in serious condition, sedated and ventilated. His condition is defined as serious but stable. Soroka's spokesperson said: "We share in the family's grief."

Following the incident, firefighters from Fire and Rescue Services were called to the scene and worked alongside the plant's emergency teams to gain full control of the fire and eliminate additional risks. Safety experts and fire investigators continue to examine the circumstances that led to the failure of the tank neck and the functioning of safety systems at the facility.

An incident of this type is considered extremely rare and requires the implementation of strict emergency protocols. The incident is unrelated to Prime Minister Netanyahu's tour in the area that same day.