Israel's Rescue Work at Collapsed Building ContinuesIsraeli rescue teams' round-the-clock efforts to search for survivors buried in a collapsed building in western Jerusalem continued through Friday evening and Saturday, the Jewish Shabbat resting day.Israeli chief rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau announced Friday that the rescue work could continue through Saturday because it is acceptably to break the Shabbat rule for saving lives. Because it is still possible to find survivors even a week after such a disaster, Lau also declared that rescue should be continued even on the Shabuoth holiday on Monday. The collapse took place Thursday night when about 700 people gathered in a hall for wedding celebration. So far 25, rather than 26 as earlier reported, bodies have been found, 23 of them identified. About 350 others were wounded in the worst civilian disaster in Israel's 53-year history, and scores of wedding guests or hall staffs are still missing and presumed trapped among the shattered concrete and twisted steel supports. Police sources said that since Friday afternoon, no survivors or bodies have been extracted out of the rubble. Before Friday afternoon, the rescue teams found at least four survivors. The rescue work had to ease the pace at one time Friday evening, due to fears of another collapse. Several private companies have helped the searching operation, donating sand vacuums, and a thermal machine used for locating body heat. |
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