A deadly carbon monoxide leak turned a Jerusalem daycare into a scene of unimaginable loss, with two babies pronounced dead and 55 children rushed to medical care. Nestled in a Romema apartment on Ha’Mem Gimmel Street, the unlicensed facility cared for the city’s tiniest residents.
Emergency services painted a dire picture: medics hauling unconscious infants from the toxic environment. Victims ranged from four-month-olds to three-year-olds, including a newcomer whose life ended before it truly began.
Law enforcement detained three caregivers pending probes into a faulty heater. The Education Ministry’s shocking revelation – no prior knowledge or permit application – ignited outrage over regulatory blind spots.
Amid the chaos, United Hatzalah’s rapid response and psychotrauma support steadied frantic parents. Ventilation teams and investigators remain on-site, pinpointing the gas source and securing the area.
As Jerusalem mourns, this incident catalyzes urgent discussions on mandating safety standards for all childcare providers. No family should endure such devastation from overlooked risks.