14-Year-Old Killed in School Trip Explosion: Witnesses Describe Horrific Scenes

Eyewitness accounts from a student's father and a first responder at the scene of an explosion in the Ramim Ridge reveal the moments of fear and the devastating scenes following the tragedy that occurred today (Monday) during a school trip organized by ORT Ma'alot High School.

A 14-year-old boy was killed and 24 others were injured, including students and staff members, after an old piece of unexploded ordnance detonated near Kibbutz Yiftach in northern Israel.

A Father's Terrifying Moments of Uncertainty

Eliyahu Galil, whose son participated in the trip, told Kan News about the frightening moments when he was unable to contact him.

"At first, there was no reception, and those were extremely stressful moments for us. After a few minutes, he called us back but ended the conversation very quickly because he wanted to let other children use his phone to inform their parents that they were safe."

According to Galil, his son witnessed the explosion and managed to escape without physical injuries, although he was exposed to deeply distressing scenes.

"We spoke with him. He saw and heard the explosion and ran away. He wasn't physically injured, but he saw things that children should never have to see. My heart goes out to the parents whose children were injured, some of whom still don't know what happened."

Galil emphasized that the trip had been coordinated with the Ministry of Education and had received the necessary approvals. According to his understanding, the explosion occurred after someone accidentally stepped on unexploded ordnance.

During their most recent conversation, the children were still at the scene, awaiting evacuation.

First Responder Describes the Devastating Scene

Meanwhile, Tamir Dawadi, a resident of Kibbutz Manara and former commander of the community's emergency response squad, described to Channel 12 News how he rushed to the scene and began treating the injured.

On his way, Dawadi alerted Magen David Adom (MDA), the police, and firefighters. Once he arrived, he began assessing the injured, prioritizing treatment, and coordinating their evacuation to Mitzpe Hussein, where helicopters had been dispatched.

"I started treating the injured and taking command, because if I don't take command, I can't manage the incident. There were many children with limb injuries. I don't want to go into the details."

Dawadi explained that he also instructed students who remained at the scene to help care for their injured classmates.

"I told them where to go and whom to treat first and second. I guided them through assessing who needed to be evacuated and who didn't. We began evacuating the injured to Mitzpe Hussein because we had called in helicopters to that location."

Students Helped Their Injured Friends

Speaking through tears, Dawadi described the heartbreaking sight of young students trying to help their injured friends.

"Listen, these are young people, children. You see them sitting there, holding their friends. And you're treating them, applying tourniquets, and asking them for help. I had to direct them so they could assist me."

His account highlighted the difficult circumstances in which the students found themselves, witnessing serious injuries while being called upon to assist in the emergency response.

Emergency Crews Work to Evacuate the Injured

According to Dawadi, the large number of military vehicles in the area made it difficult to clear an evacuation route. Nevertheless, emergency personnel managed to evacuate the casualties.

Dawadi said he remained at the scene even after additional rescue teams arrived, continuing to assist with the response. "I didn't leave. I stayed until now, until this very moment. I don't leave an incident quickly."

The accounts of the father and the first responder offer a glimpse into the fear, confusion, and distress experienced by the students and their families following the deadly explosion, as well as the efforts of those who rushed to help the injured.