Norway sends condolences to Israel following forest fire

“On behalf of the Norwegian Government and the Norwegian people, I would like to extend our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to all those who lost their loved ones,” wrote Mr Støre in a letter to the Israeli Foreign Minister.  

The forest fire broke out yesterday afternoon in the Carmel Mountains, south of Haifa. A mass evacuation was started immediately, from homes, hospitals, student residences and prisons in the area. In connection with the evacuation, a bus carrying prison service cadets who were on their way to help with rescue efforts was caught in the fire. Forty of the cadets have been confirmed dead. There are also reports that an unknown number of people have been injured.