Following last week’s “sharav” heatwave conditions, Israel has been experiencing its first winter temperatures during the past few days, accompanied by unusually powerful winds. On Monday morning as the winds got even stronger, two elementary school girls were injured when a palm tree collapsed on top of them at their bus stop in Kibbutz Bahan in central Israel.

One girl, 8, was evacuated to the Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba, where she is in serious condition, according to a hospital spokesperson. The other girl, 9, suffered light injuries and was taken to the Laniado Hospital in Netanya.

“I saw a large palm tree that collapsed,” MDA paramedic Rami Gafni said. “A fully-conscious eight-year-old girl trapped under the tree and laying under the branches had suffered a multi-system injury. Next to her sat a fully conscious nine-year-old girl with light bruises on her head and legs. The girls were administered first-aid treatment and evacuated to hospitals.”

The temperatures are expected to drop even lower throughout Monday accompanied by stronger winds and later in the week, sandy conditions are also expected.

Hiking trails throughout Israel will be closed on Monday due to the dangerous weather conditions, according to a Nature and Parks Authority announcement. Brushfire warnings have also been upgraded due to the expected reduced humidity.

Two girls hurt as gusting winds knock over palm tree north of Tel Aviv https://t.co/6BCt5QSu61

— The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) November 18, 2019