A chemical plant in the large Neot Hovav industrial zone in southern Israel has caught fire after an Iranian missile strike, Ynetnews reported, citing authorities.
Workers and staff have been evacuated. Hazardous materials and monitoring teams are assessing the risk of a hazardous materials spill in the industrial zone. Emergency medical services said one person was slightly injured.
The Israeli newspaper “Maariv“ reported that three hazardous materials and monitoring teams from the city of Beersheba were dispatched to the scene after receiving a report of the incident. According to the newspaper, there are currently no reports of casualties.
Local newspaper „Kalkalist“ also reported that a man was injured and received medical attention.
Neot Hovav is home to dozens of large factories employing thousands of workers, „Kalkalist“ noted. The Ministry of Environmental Protection said its teams had been called to the scene of the incident.
Iran's Fars news agency, citing a source, reported that Iran had struck an Israeli military-related factory in the south of the country. The strike was a warning of attacks on Iranian factories and industries.
The Neot Hovav industrial zone, located south of Beersheba, is a key center of Israel's chemical industry. It produces approximately half of all chemicals produced in the country. The area also houses a power plant and warehouses.
Yesterday, an Iranian missile attack hit the Al Taweelah aluminum plant in Abu Dhabi, owned by Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA). Several EGA employees were injured in the strikes, but their lives are not in danger. According to the Financial Times, the UAE is the most heavily bombed country among Iran's Gulf neighbors.