A heavy black cloud of smoke was observed from a distance from the BAZEN complex in the Haifa Bay area. The dark smoke, occasionally accompanied by flames, was visible from a great distance and was visible from the direction of the Carmel and other areas of the city and its surroundings.
A heavy cloud of smoke is visible from a long distance.
A heavy black column of smoke was observed from a distance from the BZN complex in the Haifa Bay area. According to reports from the field, the black smoke was occasionally accompanied by visible flames. The dark cloud of smoke rose to a high altitude and was clearly visible from the Carmel area, with the bay's industrial facilities and nearby residential areas visible in the background. Photos taken from the Carmel document the extent of the smoke, which covered a significant portion of the skyline above the bay.
Documenting the event from Mount Carmel
A series of photos taken from a high vantage point in Carmel show the black smoke plume from different angles, with the refinery facilities, industrial and residential areas of Haifa Bay and the surrounding mountains visible in the background. The photos illustrate the size of the smoke plume, which spread over a wide area above the area and indicate the severity of the air pollution in the area. At this stage, no further details have been received about the exact source of the smoke and fire or the circumstances of the incident. This news item will be updated as more information is received.
The Union of Cities informed Hai Pa News Corporation:
“Another malfunction, another black smoke, another danger to the residents of Haifa Bay,” for the second time in 5 days: Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection is investigating a suspected further violation of the emission permit at Carmel Olefins: “Public patience is over”
Today (Thursday, May 14, 2026) black smoke was again recorded from a torch at the Carmel Olefins (KAO) plant in the ZANN complex in Haifa Bay, this for the second time in less than a week, and a direct continuation of the serious malfunction that occurred last Sunday (May 10, 2026).
According to reports received by the Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection, the black smoke was observed during an attempt to restart the facility, which had been shut down in recent days for maintenance operations following the previous malfunction.
The union teams continue to continuously monitor the plant's activities using monitoring systems and environmental cameras. As of this stage, black smoke emissions have been recorded for a few seconds, but the union emphasizes that the recurrence of the events within a few days is a cause for serious concern and raises serious questions regarding the plant's ability to return to normal operations without creating environmental hazards.
The Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection is, as stated, examining a suspicion of another violation of the terms of the emission permit at the ZAN complex, alongside a professional and legal examination of all recent events.
Deputy and Acting Mayor of Haifa and Chairman of the Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection, Avihu Hahn: "The residents of Haifa Bay cannot continue to live under an environmental emergency routine. Time and again we witness black smoke, malfunctions, shutdowns, and movements that end in air pollution above the residents' homes. This is an unacceptable reality in a civilized country."
"Today's repeated incident is further proof that the BN complex has become an ongoing environmental hazard and a health risk for hundreds of thousands of citizens. The Israeli government must stop postponing decisions and immediately promote the evacuation of the petrochemical industry from Haifa Bay."
He added, "I expect the Ministry of Environmental Protection to take a tough stance, bring the polluting factories to justice, and impose significant sanctions. Public health cannot be a secondary consideration compared to economic interests."
Director General of the Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection, Dr. Lihi Shahar Berman: “Another black smoke incident in less than a week, precisely during an attempt to return the facility to operation, reinforces the concern about a continuing failure in the facility’s environmental management. Black smoke indicates incomplete combustion and the emission of pollutants into the air, and any such incident requires a thorough and in-depth examination.
"The union is currently examining all the data, including aspects of the emission permit, the manner in which the flare was operated, and the circumstances of the incident. If any anomalies or violations are found, we will work to exhaust all the procedures and steps at our disposal."
Dr. Lihi Shahar Berman emphasized in her remarks, "We cannot normalize such events, and we will not allow polluting emissions to become a daily routine for residents of Haifa Bay."
The Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection will continue to update the public with the findings of the tests, monitoring data, and the steps that will be taken next.
The managers should go to jail already!!
May the administrators go to jail!