Three people were killed and a number of others were injured in a severe car accident between two cars and a truck near the town of Azrikam in southern Israel on Tuesday afternoon.
The three killed were identified as Tzipi Shimoni, Fentanesh Obenach and Matanya Ayubi, who have left behind 10, eight and three children respectively, Israeli media reported.
In total, 21 children have now been left orphans due to the horrific crash, which saw a truck overturn and crush two vehicles.
Kiryat Malachi Mayor Eliyahu Zohar took to social media to pay a tribute to Obenach, who was a resident of his city.
Six others were injured and are still hospitalized in either Samson Assuta Ashdod Hospital in Ashdod and Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon. One injured victim, a 60-year-old man, is in critical condition and is currently attached to a ventilator and under anesthesia. The rest of the injured, three women in their 60s and two young men in their 20s, are in moderate condition, Israeli media reported.
This is one of several severe traffic accidents to have occurred in Israel since the start of the year. In fact, since the start of 2022, 124 people have been killed in traffic accidents, with almost a third (39) of these deaths being the result of a crash involving a heavy vehicle, Ynet reported.
This is a developing story.