--- title: "Explosion and Fire at Intel's Under-Construction Fab in Kiryat Gat: Casualties and NF₃ Toxic Gas Theory" description: "An explosion and fire occurred at Intel's Fab 38 under construction in Kiryat Gat, Israel, causing casualties. Theories include an NF₃ toxic gas cylinder malfunction; the impact on construction timelines remains undetermined." date: 2026-10-16T23:27:11.752Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/explosion-at-intel-fab-38-kiryat-gat tags: [intel, israel, kiriat-gat, fab-38, semiconductor, explosion, nf3-gas] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Explosion and Fire at Intel's Under-Construction Fab in Kiryat Gat: Casualties and NF₃ Toxic Gas Theory ![Laboratory with test benches and cables at the Intel semiconductor manufacturing facility in Kiryat Gat](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/16/vzryv-na-fabrike-intel-fab-38-v-kiryat-gate/vzryv-na-fabrike-intel-fab-38-v-kiryat-gate-1.webp) ## Key Points - An explosion and fire occurred at the Intel Fab 38 facility in Kiryat Gat, with eight rescue teams dispatched to the scene. - Among the suspected causes is a malfunction of a nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃) cylinder, a gas used in semiconductor manufacturing. - Reports on casualties vary among sources, ranging from three injured to two dead. - Fab 38 is being built as part of Intel's EUV lithography capacity expansion; the accident's impact on timelines is yet undetermined. An explosion and fire have occurred at Intel's production site in Kiryat Gat, Israel, reportedly resulting in several injuries. The incident was reported to the Israeli Fire and Rescue Services at 14:12 local time. Eight rescue teams, including hazardous materials specialists, were dispatched to the facility: they searched the building for potentially trapped workers and worked to extinguish the blaze. The accident affected a facility of strategic importance to the company's production plans — the Fab 38 plant currently under construction. ### The Nitrogen Trifluoride Theory Among the suspected causes of the explosion is a cylinder containing nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃), a toxic gas used in semiconductor manufacturing stages. According to several publications, the accident may have occurred while this gas was being pumped into factory reservoirs, and police are investigating the possibility of a gas cylinder malfunction. However, the definitive cause of the explosion has not been established at the time of publication, and Intel has not issued a comprehensive official statement regarding the circumstances. ### What is Known About the Casualties Reports regarding the number and severity of injuries vary across sources. According to one version, at least three people were injured, with one in critical condition. Another version states that two workers died and another sustained severe burns. Intel has not officially confirmed either the number of casualties or their condition, making it impossible to reconstruct the exact picture of the incident at this time. ### Fab 38: Intel's Strategic Asset The incident occurred at a facility being built as part of the expansion of Intel's infrastructure. According to contractor Hoffman Construction, the project involves creating over 600,000 square feet of cleanrooms — about 55,700 square meters — equipped for EUV lithography chip manufacturing processes. In July 2025, work at the site was reviewed: the contractor was instructed to focus on completing one of the two planned cleanrooms, which was close to completion by the time of the accident. Project completion is scheduled for 2026. ### Impact on Production and Timelines It remains unestablished whether the accident will affect construction timelines or equipment installation. First and foremost, rescue and investigative services note, the causes of the explosion must be determined and the damage to the enterprise assessed. The question of the incident's potential impact on Intel's production plans remains open pending official statements from the company and the results of the investigation. ## Accounts differ ### Number and severity of casualties - **goha.ru (primary source):** At least three people were injured, one of them is in critical condition ([goha.ru](https://www.goha.ru/vzryv-na-fabrike-intel-v-izraile-troe-postradavshih-vozmozhna-utechka-opasnogo-gaza-dDmzqN)) - **3dnews.ru:** Two workers died, another sustained severe burns ([3dnews.ru](https://3dnews.ru/1149978/na-izrailskoy-fabrike-intel-proizoshyol-vzriv-dvoe-pogibshih-a-vliyanie-na-vipusk-chipov-poka-neizvestno)) *Where they agree:* An explosion and fire occurred at the Intel facility in Kiryat Gat, several people were injured in the incident, and Intel has not published official casualty data ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Взрыв на фабрике Intel в Израиле: трое пострадавших, возможна утечка опасного газа](https://www.goha.ru/vzryv-na-fabrike-intel-v-izraile-troe-postradavshih-vozmozhna-utechka-opasnogo-gaza-dDmzqN) - Primary source: explosion and fire at Fab 38, 14:12, 8 teams, NF₃ theory, 3 casualties (1 critical), Fab 38 project details (600k sq ft, EUV, 2026 completion). - [На израильской фабрике Intel произошёл взрыв: двое погибших, а влияние на выпуск чипов пока ...](https://3dnews.ru/1149978/na-izrailskoy-fabrike-intel-proizoshyol-vzriv-dvoe-pogibshih-a-vliyanie-na-vipusk-chipov-poka-neizvestno) - Alternative casualty picture (2 dead + 1 severe burns), NF₃ pumping and cylinder malfunction theory, context on Fab 28 and $3.25B grant; Intel without an official statement. ## FAQ ### Where did the incident occur? At Intel's production site in Kiryat Gat, Israel, at the Fab 38 plant under construction. ### What suspected cause of the explosion is being discussed? Among the theories is a malfunction of a nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃) cylinder, a toxic gas used in semiconductor manufacturing. The final cause has not been established. ### How many people were injured? Reports vary: one version states at least three people were injured (one in critical condition), while another claims two died and another suffered severe burns. Intel has published no official data. ### Does the accident affect Intel's production? It is not yet established. The causes of the explosion must first be determined and damages assessed; the impact on construction timelines and equipment installation is unknown.