Brush Fire Halts Trains Near Be'er Yaakov and Disrupts Southern Lines

A brush fire near the railway in the Be'er Yaakov and Ness Ziona area forced Israel Railways to suspend trains between Lod, Rehovot and Ashkelon, and between Lod and Rishon LeZion HaRishonim. Delays and service changes affected Ashkelon, Ashdod Ad Halom, Yavne East, Be'er Yaakov, Lod and HaRishonim stations. Fire and Rescue crews from Rehovot worked to contain the spreading vegetation fire and protect the tracks in coordination with Israel Railways. The initial update gave no cause, casualty or damage report, or estimate for restoring service.