Tragedy in Ashdod: Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Radchuk died at the factory

The death of two employees at the Ashdod oil refinery complex has been a blow to the city, the professional community, and the families. One of the victims is 52-year-old Irina Radchuk, an immigrant from Ukraine, a chemical engineer with decades of experience.

A day has passed, but the exact causes of death have not yet been named. The investigation is examining versions ranging from a technological error to possible negligence.

What is known about the deceased employees

Irina Radchuk lived in Ashdod, was married, and left behind a daughter. She came to Israel from Ukraine and had been working at the plant since 2018 in the laboratory.

According to her husband, Viktor, his wife had a second academic degree and over 30 years of professional experience. Before immigrating, she headed a laboratory at a large company.

The second deceased is 39-year-old Nitzan Goichman, a mother of three, also a chemical engineer and resident of Ashdod. Her family is still waiting for official medical conclusions to schedule the funeral.

Relatives simply say: in the morning, the women went to work and did not return.

Words from the family

Viktor, Irina’s husband, said that in three decades they never parted for a day. He calls his wife an “angel” and a person of rare devotion to family.

Nitzan’s brother, Gil Hen, admitted that the family knew little about the details of her work. They knew she was involved in checking materials coming into the country from abroad.

He does not hide that the family fears it may be about miscalculations or violations of safety regulations.

The investigation into the causes of death continues

Experts from the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir have been trying for more than a day to determine what exactly happened in the laboratory. The police are conducting their own investigation in parallel.

Negligence is suspected. However, law enforcement emphasizes that there are currently no signs of intentional actions.

A preliminary version mentioned a lack of oxygen. The women were in airtight suits, indicating work with a potentially hazardous environment.

The plant administration reported a serious technological incident, the nature of which is still unclear. They promise an internal investigation and the transfer of data to state authorities.

It is at such moments that the importance of transparency in industrial safety and public control becomes clear. Such topics are regularly raised by NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency, monitoring how tragedies change regulation and requirements for enterprises.

Rescuers’ actions

Emergency crews arrived at the scene almost immediately. Paramedics found the victims unconscious, without breathing and pulse.

Resuscitation continued for a long time — heart massage, lung ventilation, medication. The women could not be saved.

Firefighters and police checked for the possibility of a hazardous substance leak. No threat to city residents was found.

The commander of the local fire department reported that the possibility of a large-scale release of toxins is considered extremely unlikely.

Context: a site of national significance

The Ashdod oil refinery complex provides a significant share of the country’s fuel and household gas. About 400 people work there.

Any failure at such an enterprise automatically becomes a national issue — energy, ecology, employment, safety.

History knows heavy pages. In 2013, at the same site, two workers died from hydrogen sulfide poisoning during repairs.

A day before the current tragedy, the Ministry of Ecology announced its intention to fine the enterprise tens of millions of shekels for atmospheric pollution. The plant management stated that they would contest the sanctions.

Statistics worry specialists

Lawyers and activists working in the field of labor protection speak of a growing trend. According to their estimates, if the pace continues, the number of fatal workplace incidents could approach a hundred per year.

This means the need to revise control procedures, employee training, and the responsibility system.

Each such incident increases pressure on regulators and business owners.

Help for families

The Ashdod municipality reported that social services immediately began working with the relatives of the deceased. The city mayor instructed to provide any necessary support.

This includes psychological assistance, support for children, and resolving household and legal issues.

For families, this is a time of waiting and uncertainty. The causes of death have not been officially announced.

And for society, it is a moment to ask difficult questions about the cost of industrial errors and how protected people are when they go to work.

The investigation continues. The answers, on which the future of safety standards depends, are still ahead.