[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] Two people were killed and 17 others left injured when a four-story underground parking lot under construction on Nechoshet Street in the Ramat HaChaiyal area of Tel Aviv collapsed on Monday, 2 Elul. Police report the call came in to the emergency dispatcher at 11:24AM. Police report at this early stage of the investigation that three stories of the structure have definitely collapsed. There is still a question pertaining to the last floor, which will be determined as the investigation moves ahead.

Two people lost their lives and 17 others were injured. The injured were transported to Ichilov, Tel Hashomer and Beilinson Hospitals. Thirteen were found by EMS personnel on street level and the others were extricated from the rubble. One of the victims sustained serious head injuries while another is listed in moderate condition. B’chasdei Hashem the others are less seriously injured.

The preliminary evidence from the scene points to human/engineering error as the cause and the investigation is already underway. Project managers, engineers and other officials involved in the construction of the underground parking facility have already been summoned by police, some already being interviewed. Police report that at present, everyone involved in cooperation.

In one of the accompanying photos we see Israel Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich and Magen David Adom Chief Eli Bin are exchanging information. In the second photo, a senior fire service officer is discussing the situation with an IDF Homefront Command search & rescue officer.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Police spokesman unit & MDA spokesman unit)