4 dead, dozens injured in Netanya building explosion

Initial investigation reveals explosion likely the result of a gas tank explosion.

At least 4 people were killed and over 50 people were injured in a explosion early Friday morning in an apartment building in downtown Netanya. The circumstances surrounded the explosion are still unclear, but first estimates indicate that the damage was the result of a gas tank explosion.

Major damage was caused to the building and to other nearby buildings on Herzl Street in Netanya's Independence Square, an area frequented by many tourists. The smell of gas continues to pervade the area.

Emergency aid workers continue to evacuate residents of the apartment building with the help of cranes and are examining the building to ensure that no one is trapped in their apartments.

Large teams of aid workers are evacuating the injured to hospitals in Netanya, Hadera and Kfar Sava, and many police officers are milling about the area, shutting it off to traffic and asking the general public to keep their distance at this time.