A massive wildfire broke out in the hills outside Jerusalem in Israel on Wednesday, fuelled by hot, dry conditions and fanned by strong winds that quickly whipped up the flames burning through pine forests. Pics/AFP
Updated On: 2025-05-01 09:26 PM IST
Compiled by : Asif Ali Sayed
The blaze, which ignited along the main Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway on Wednesday, prompted widespread evacuations and road closures as firefighters battled through the night to contain what officials have called the largest fire in a decade
"The fire is under control," said Shlomi Harush, a senior official with the firefighting service, according to the AFP
"There are only hotspots left... all teams remain deployed across the affected areas," he told AFP, warning that strong winds could still reignite the flames
In Latrun, approximately 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) from Jerusalem, smoke continued to rise near a monastery as firefighters sprayed water on smouldering embers, according to an AFP journalist on the scene
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had warned late Wednesday that the flames could reach Jerusalem, declaring the situation a "national emergency"
