In a devastating incident highlighting safety concerns at religious sites, 77-year-old Esther Ilani was killed Tuesday morning when she was struck and trapped under a construction truck at the Bnei Brak cemetery, a predominantly Orthodox Jewish district near Tel Aviv.
First responders arrived at the scene on Chazon Ish Street at 9:32 AM, finding Mrs. Ilani trapped beneath the vehicle. "When we arrived, we found the victim unconscious and suffering from catastrophic multi-system trauma," reported paramedic Yedidya Wagshall and senior EMT Tal Sagi. Despite immediate rescue efforts by firefighters and emergency medical teams, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The tragedy occurred while Mrs. Ilani was praying near the grave of renowned Rabbi Shach, with family members present who were subsequently treated for shock. Initial police investigations point to significant safety oversights, including the absence of required warning signs about truck traffic and safety distances in the construction area.
"It was a devastating scene," United Hatzalah emergency responders stated, describing injuries too severe for medical intervention.
The incident has particular poignancy as Mrs. Ilani had been actively involved in community service until her final days. Just last Saturday night, she had participated in a fundraising event for a local religious organization. She is survived by her husband, Rabbi Tzvi Ilani, and several children, including Rabbi Eliyahu Ilani, who heads a Jerusalem seminary and chairs Nefesh Yehudi, an organization focused on Jewish student outreach.
The accident has sparked calls for a review of construction site safety protocols, particularly in sensitive areas like cemeteries where elderly visitors are common. Local authorities are expected to investigate the absence of safety measures that may have contributed to this fatal incident.
The funeral is scheduled for today at the same cemetery where the accident occurred, with the community in mourning over the loss of a woman known for her charitable works and dedication to religious life.
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