JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Two men who were in a light aircraft that crashed in an open area near the community of Tel Adashim were pronounced dead on Sunday at Emek Medical Center.

The two, both about 50 years old, were evacuated to the hospital by Magen David Adom teams in critical condition while advanced resuscitation efforts were being carried out, but doctors were forced to declare them dead.

Earlier in the morning, large rescue and medical forces were dispatched to the scene following initial reports of an aircraft crash in the area at about 9 AM.

Paramedics and EMTs provided initial medical treatment on site and evacuated the two men in intensive care ambulances, while additional forces were deployed to assist with stabilization and extraction efforts.

MDA paramedic Maor Atadgi described the scene: “This was a tough incident. We arrived with ambulances, intensive care units, and rapid response motorcycles. We were led in the field to the crashed aircraft. The plane had severe structural damage, and nearby lay two men.”

He added: “They were unconscious, with no pulse and no breathing. We immediately began advanced resuscitation efforts and evacuated them to the hospital in critical condition.”

The circumstances of the aircraft crash in the open area are currently being investigated by the relevant authorities.