Police said Thursday that an explosion that killed nine-year-old Eliyahu Azriel, z”l, in Beitar Illit was apparently caused by a fire inside a recycling container, ruling out a deliberately planted explosive device or a criminal or terrorist motive.

Investigators worked through the night to establish the circumstances of the tragedy. The investigation involved officers from the Yehuda and Shomron Police District, bomb disposal experts, forensic specialists, and Fire and Rescue Service investigators.

The findings raised strong suspicions that the blast was connected to a dangerous practice in which children and teenagers set garbage containers on fire and remain nearby to watch emergency crews arrive.

According to investigators, the fire inside the recycling container created pressure that triggered an internal explosion while dozens of children were standing close by.

A fragment propelled by the blast struck Eliyahu, causing fatal injuries. Emergency medical personnel fought to save his life, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police did not indicate that Eliyahu had been involved in starting the fire.

Eliyahu, the eighth of ten children in his family, was brought to kevurah Wednesday night. His levayah took place at 11:30 p.m. at the Sephardic funeral home at Har Hamenuchos in Yerushalayim.

Following the findings, Etzion Police Station commander Chief Superintendent Rafi Vaknin held an urgent meeting Wednesday night with Beitar Illit’s mayor.

They agreed to immediately launch an educational and deterrence campaign in the city’s schools to stop the dangerous practice before it claims additional lives.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)