Four family members suffered light injuries including dizziness and lightheadedness and were treated by United Hatzalah volunteers in Beitar Illit. The illnesses came as a result of opening a package that contained a substance which they couldn’t identify. The incident occurred inside the family home on HaRebbe M’Zehvil Street in Beitar. Fire and Rescue services also responded to the call in order to investigate the substance and clear out the house from any residual fumes. The family members who were ill were aged 47 (the mother), 20 (a daughter), 17 ( a son), 7 (a younger son).

Chaim Blau, a United Hatzalah EMT from Beitar was one of the first responders at the scene said: “The emergency involved four family members who all took ill after opening a package that contained a suspicious and unidentified substance. The four injured family members were transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital for further check-ups and care. They were classified as being lightly injured.”

The Fire Department announced a few hours after the incident that the substance was Magnesium Carbonate, which is used in the sporting profession as a substance that prevents slipping. Once it was discovered what the substance was, the home was declared safe and the street was once again opened for traffic.

Initial reports indicated that the family had opened two packages which they had received in the mail from China, as part of an online order from the Ali Express website.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)