An 80-year old man was killed and several people were injured when a balcony collapsed on Keren Kayemet Boulevard in Jerusalem’s Rehavia neighborhood on Monday, United Hatzalah reported.
“A deceased man in his 80s was recovered by Fire and Rescue Authority rescue workers,” a United Hatzalah paramedic said. “Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severe injuries he suffered.”
A second-floor balcony in the three-story building collapsed onto a ground-floor restaurant, causing significant damage, the Fire and Rescue Authority reported. Civilians rescued two trapped victims, it said.
Five people sustained minor injuries, the Israel Police reported.
'Frightened, injured people'
"We arrived at the scene in large numbers and noticed a number of frightened, injured people coming toward us and a man trapped among all the rubble in critical condition,” another MDA paramedic said."
While the firefighters were carrying out the rescue operations, we began providing medical treatment to a woman aged about 80 and two young men aged about 16 and 17 in light condition with abrasions on their bodies, who were taken to a hospital.”
United Hatzalah said it had provided assistance to several victims with minor injuries and others suffering from anxiety-related symptoms.
Police ask public to avoid area
One of the victims was brought to Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center in light condition, the hospital reported.
Roads leading to the collapse site had been closed off, the Israel Police said.
The police said they were investigating the circumstances of the collapse and evaluating the structure’s integrity.