Deadly forest fire hits Israel

At least 36 people have been killed by a forest fire that is raging out of control in the Carmel Mountains near the northern Israeli city of Haifa, with many others injured, RIA Novosti said citing Haaretz.

Most or all of those who died had been aboard a bus that was trying to evacuate people from the blaze, the Israeli media said on Thursday.

Some reports said the bus had been carrying prison guards from Damon jail, a nearby prison, where Palestinian detainees are kept. Another report suggested prison guards or a rescue team might have been in the vehicle.

Dozens more people were injured in the fire and police ordered hundreds of residents out of their homes as helicopters joined fire trucks in trying to douse the blaze.

Firefighters said homes as well as trees and underbrush had all gone up in flames.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the authorities will continue to evacuate the population.

Israel called on its allies to send firefighting equipment.

Greece, Spain, Croatia, Turkey, France, Russia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, the U.K., Egypt and Romania said they would send aircraft, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.