The explosion in Herzliya from a bird's eye view

Large explosion leaves crater at former Israel Military Industries site

A large blast rocked the site of a former factory of Israel Military Industries in the central Israeli city of Herzliya on Thursday night, local residents reported, along with heavy smoke and a smell of sulfur in the nearby area.

A crater with a diameter of about seven meters was formed at the site of the explosion, Fire and Rescue Services said.

Israel Police units are scanning the area for more information, while the IDF stated that military activity in the area was ruled out as the reason for the blast.

The residents of the area were ordered to close the windows and stay inside, out of concern that harmful gases were released by the explosion. There is no danger to the residents or property at the moment