It is permitted to publish that Yehuda Levi, an 8-year-old boy from the settlement of Hemdat, is the fatality in the rockslide disaster at Nahal David in the Judean Desert. This morning, a landslide of rocks occurred from the creekbed towards a group of hikers. In total, 9 hikers were injured by the rocks. Yehuda was killed, and there are several other injured individuals, including a tourist from Italy.
Paramedic from Magen David Adom (MDA), Lior Shasha, and Emergency Medical Technician from MDA, Majahad Al-Amor, recounted: "It's a complex area; we quickly arrived at the scene, leaving the ambulances in the creek's parking lot and walked with medical equipment for about a 25-minute hike to the incident site. We identified several injured individuals who were hurt by the rockslide. A 5-year-old child was unconscious and suffered severe abdominal injuries. A 40-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl were fully conscious and also had injuries."
Alongside the IDF Rescue Unit and medical forces, we provided medical treatment to the child and performed extended resuscitation procedures. The woman and the girl were defined as being in mild to moderate condition. Four additional injured individuals arrived at the creek's parking lot: a 20-year-old man, a 40-year-old man, a 4-year-old girl, and an 8-year-old boy, all hurt by the rocks. The girl, who suffered head and limb injuries, was defined as being in moderate condition; the boy and the two men were in mild condition. After on-site treatment, we evacuated the injured using a Magen David Adom helicopter and Israeli Air Force helicopters to hospitals. Additionally, we provided assistance on-site to a number of individuals who were witnesses to the incident and experienced anxiety.
From the Nature and Parks Authority, it was reported: "This morning, a rockfall incident occurred at the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve in the area of Nahal David waterfall. The reserve's team and the rescue unit are addressing the incident and assisting the injured. Nahal David is closed, and the hikers are being evacuated from the area. Nahal Arugot Reserve remains open, as does the ancient synagogue."
From the Israel Police it was reported: "The Israel Police received initial reports of a rockfall near the Nahal David Nature Reserve, with several casualties at the scene. Police forces, including rescue units, the aerial array, and emergency services, are en route to the location."
From the IDF it was stated: "Military helicopters with forces from Unit 669 and medical teams from the Jordan Valley Division were dispatched to Nahal David in the Ein Gedi area a short while ago to assist in rescuing trapped individuals."
Micha Ben Gigi, the incident manager from the command post, stated to Channel B: "There are 15 casualties with various injuries, currently none of them are in critical condition or life-threatening, and there are no trapped individuals in the area."
