They tried to steal electrical cables - and caused an explosion and power outage

An attempt to steal underground electrical cables near the Ben Shemen junction caused an explosion and a power outage in Old Lod. The cables were cut with a saw while still electrified. Power supply was disrupted for about two hours. The Israel Electric Corporation filed a complaint with the police.

An attempt to steal underground electrical cables near the Ben Shemen junction caused an explosion and a power outage in the Old Lod area last night (Monday). Teams from the Israel Electric Corporation who arrived at the scene this morning discovered that the cables had been cut with a saw while still electrified, and nearby there were signs of soot, apparently indicating an explosion that occurred during the theft attempt. The incident took place in an area where road 40 expansion works are underway. Around 2 a.m., a power outage was recorded in the Old Lod area due to the damage to the cables. Power supply was restored to all customers in the area by around 4 a.m. The Israel Electric Corporation filed a complaint with the police following the incident and warns that cutting electrified cables can cause electrocution and explosion, endangering the lives of those involved.