❗️Explosion at Intel chip factory in southern Israel leaves three seriously injured amid chemical leak fears

An explosion at Intel's semiconductor manufacturing facility in the Israeli colony of Kiryat Gat,seriously injured at least three people hours ago, Israeli media reported.

The Jerusalem Post cited Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service in reporting the injuries, while police said the blast was suspected to have been caused by a gas cylinder detonation.

Israel's Fire and Rescue Authority warned of a possible hazardous chemical leak following the explosion and ensuing fire. Ynet reported that the incident involved nitrogen trifluoride, a gas used in semiconductor manufacturing, prompting specialised hazardous materials teams to monitor the site and assess potential risks. Firefighters subsequently brought the source of the blaze under control, according to the outlet.

Intel's Kiryat Gat facility manufactures semiconductor chips used in electronic devices and computing systems, according to The Jerusalem Post, making it a significant part of the company's manufacturing operations in Israel.

The cause of the explosion remained unconfirmed, and authorities had not established the extent of any chemical leak.