Panic at Ben-Gurion – what event paralyzed traffic (VIDEO)
A helium balloon accidentally brought by a passenger caused a short circuit at the railway station in Ben-Gurion Airport. The incident led to a temporary halt of train traffic, panic among passengers, and disruptions on lines connecting Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Modiin.
On the afternoon of August 24, a short circuit occurred on the railway platform at Ben-Gurion Airport due to a helium balloon accidentally brought by a visitor. The balloon rose to the ceiling and came into contact with the overhead wire, causing loud bangs, bright flashes, and sparks. The damaged cable broke and fell onto the tracks, leading to a temporary paralysis of train traffic and panic among passengers. Station staff quickly asked people to leave the danger zone. The accident cut power to adjacent lines: a train traveling from Jerusalem to Herzliya stopped near the airport and was then turned back. Passengers rushed en masse to find alternative means of transportation, overwhelming bus route 480. The company 'Rakevet Israel' characterized the incident as a local technical malfunction, noting that emergency crews were addressing the consequences. No full evacuation of the station was conducted.