A massive forest fire in northern Israel has killed an estimated 40 people, including some aboard a bus evacuating people from the scene.

 

The raging fire that engulfed the hills of Mount Carmel is still not under control. Fire fighters say the government has been using all means at its disposal to contain the blaze.

The fire in the northern Carmel region broke out around midday Thursday and within hours, authorities were clearing the area of hundreds of residents, as well as Palestinian inmates from a prison.

Dozens more were injured and hundreds of people were evacuated by helicopter and trucks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked Russia, Italy, Greece and several other nations to send fire-fighting aircraft to help cope with the disaster.