Ashdod Refinery Disaster: Suspect Arrested in Engineers’ Deaths

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the deaths of two engineers at the Ashdod oil refinery earlier this month, with police alleging murder with indifference. The investigation centers on whether the oxygen cylinders supplied to the refinery contained harmful substances, leading to the fatal incident.

The Incident and Victims

On Wednesday, February 14, 2026, Nitzan Goichman, 39, and Irina Radchuk, 52, were found unresponsive in a laboratory at the Ashdod Refinery. Both women, chemical engineers and residents of Ashdod, were declared dead at the scene. The Jerusalem Post reported on the initial discovery.

Irina Radchuk was an immigrant from Ukraine with decades of experience in chemical engineering, leaving behind a husband and daughter. Nitzan Goyichman is survived by her husband and three children. Channel 10 detailed the personal losses associated with the tragedy.

Investigation Reveals Nitrogen in Oxygen Tanks

The investigation quickly focused on the oxygen supply to the laboratory. Recent findings revealed that the cylinders delivered to the refinery contained nitrogen instead of oxygen, a critical factor in the engineers’ deaths. This discovery led to the arrest of the owner of a balloon filling factory in central Israel.

Initial questioning of the suspect revealed a denial of any involvement, claiming the tanks contained medical air, not oxygen, and that he had no knowledge of the circumstances leading to the tragedy.

Arrest and Charges

On Monday, February 24, 2026, police arrested a partner in the company supplying the medical air cylinders. The suspect is accused of murder with indifference. Ynetnews reported on the arrest and charges.

Investigators had previously examined suspicions that the cylinders did not contain medical air or contained additional substances that caused the engineers to suffocate. Following these suspicions, the Labor Ministry’s Safety Administration alerted clients of the cylinder supplier about potentially mislabeled tanks and instructed them to notify the Health Ministry of their locations.

Ongoing Investigation

Police have stated that the investigation is complex and requires careful examination of all data before making further decisions. They expect to request an extension of the suspect’s detention as the investigation progresses.