HAIFA — 2010 · Major Tragedy
Mount Carmel Forest Fire
On the morning of 2 December 2010, a forest fire broke out on Mount Carmel just south of Haifa, near the Druze town of Isfiya, and spread quickly in dry, windy conditions. A bus carrying Israel Prison Service personnel, most of them new recruits, heading to help evacuate Damun Prison in the fire's path was trapped by the flames. Forty-four people died, including 36 prison service personnel, three senior police officers among them Haifa's police chief, and three firefighters; more than 17,000 people were evacuated. Israel requested firefighting aircraft from many countries. The fire, brought under control after 77 hours, was judged to have been caused by human activity, according to police most likely a fire that was not properly put out. The state comptroller's report sharply criticised structural shortcomings in the fire service.
- Date
- 2010
- Place
- Mount Carmel, Israel, Haifa, IL
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 32.7300, 35.0300 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 2 December 2010The fire began on Mount Carmel; a bus of prison staff was trapped.
- 3-4 December 2010Firefighting aircraft arrived from many countries.
- 5 December 2010The fire was brought under control after 77 hours.
- 20 June 2012The state comptroller criticised failings in the fire service.
Sources
- Ynetnews — Carmel fire ynetnews.com ↗
- Ynetnews — Carmel fire victims ynetnews.com ↗
- Wikipedia — 2010 Mount Carmel forest fire en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Ynetnews
- BBC News
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.