It was late afternoon when I heard the horrific news of the fatalities in the fire which is still raging out of control as I write. I’m reminded of the Maccabiah bridge collapse and the Versailles wedding hall disaster – both avoidable tragedies which unfolded right before our eyes.
It is too early to suggest that mistakes have contributed to the outbreak or the extent of the fire, or that it was an act of arson. Right now we must all help those who have suffered directly in any way we can.
But when the time is right, searching questions must be asked about how the catastrophe occurred and the level of the country’s preparedness to respond. And then we must address other “accidents waiting to happen”, and demand that the government must act before it is too late.
We’ve been saying lately how fed up we are with the never-ending summer weather. Little did we know what a terrible price we would be paying for the ongoing heatwave and drought.
Chanukah celebrations must now be put on hold. The atmosphere is grim here this evening and it will only get worse as details of the dead and injured begin to emerge over the next few days.
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