Criminal8/17/2026

Two Engineers Die at Ashdod Oil Refinery: Case Referred to the State Attorney's Office

Six months after the deaths of chemical engineers Irina Radchuk and Nitzan Goichman, police referred the investigation materials to the State Attorney's Office. The suspects include managers at the oil refinery and representatives of the company that supplied it with the cylinders, but the source does not report that indictments were filed or that the State Attorney's Office issued a decision.

Key facts

•The deceased: Irina Radchuk and Nitzan Goichman
•Location: Ashdod oil refinery
•Date of the incident: February 11
•Referral of the case to the State Attorney's Office: after approximately six months
•Purported contents of the cylinders: 100% nitrogen
•Article's original publication date: August 18, 2026

What Happened

On February 11, Irina Radchuk and Nitzan Goichman lost consciousness while testing hazardous materials in a designated room inside the Ashdod oil refinery. According to the police and the Ministry of Labor, the protective suits they were wearing were connected to cylinders containing 100% nitrogen instead of medical-air cylinders. An engineer at the plant told Ynet that the two women were found after approximately 50 minutes, when they could no longer be saved.

Who Is Under Police Investigation

The suspects include two brothers who own the company that supplied the plant with the cylinders, which were supposed to contain medical air. Managers at the oil refinery itself are also under suspicion. The laboratory manager no longer holds her former position, but the source does not explain why or report that any judicial decision was issued regarding her.

Alleged Safety Violations

An experienced engineer at the oil refinery, speaking anonymously, claimed that for years he had demanded that a camera be installed in the hazardous-testing room. According to him, the plant now intends to resume operations in the room after installing a camera and an emergency button, and after implementing supervision by a third employee over the two employees conducting the test. This testimony reflects the employee's position and is not a fact established by a court.

What the Police Decided

The police completed their phase of the work and referred the case to the State Attorney's Office. Hezi Schwartzman, head of the Ministry of Labor's Safety Administration, submitted a professional opinion to the police regarding the contents of the cylinders. The source does not state whether indictments were filed, which specific criminal offenses are under consideration, or whether the State Attorney's Office made a final decision.

The Plant's Position

The Ashdod oil refinery said it shares in the grief of the two deceased women's families and has supported them since the tragedy. The company declined to discuss the circumstances because the investigation has not yet concluded, and said it is allocating managerial and material resources to ensure a safe working environment. The room where the two engineers died remained closed at the time of publication.

What this means for you

The referral of investigation materials to the State Attorney's Office does not in itself indicate that an indictment has been filed or that anyone's guilt has been established. For workers at hazardous facilities, the case highlights the importance of oversight of gas cylinders, supervision of work in isolated rooms, and the ability to request immediate assistance. The final legal conclusions will depend on the State Attorney's Office's decision and, if an indictment is filed, on the judicial proceedings that follow.

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