Source of Pungent Odor in Rishon LeZion Located

In depth

Residents across Rishon LeZion reported a sharp gas-like odor, and two women were taken to the emergency room at Shamir Medical Center suffering from shortness of breath. According to Israel Hayom, the nuisance spread to the city center and east of it, and hundreds of complaints were received at the municipal hotline, but fire crews did not locate any hazardous materials. According to Haaretz, the Ministry of Environmental Protection rejected the municipality's claims that it is not doing enough to identify the source of the nuisance.

Rishon LeZion Mayor Raz Kinstlich announced that the source of the pungent odor was apparently located, originating from fuel and oil waste that was poured into a sewage manhole in the west of the city. According to Israel Hayom, samples were taken at the site and special flushing will be carried out, alongside an investigation to identify those responsible. According to Ynet, the Rishon LeZion municipality filed a police complaint after the waste causing the nuisance was located.