At least 22 killed in northern Israel forest fire

Jerusalem (CNN) -- At least 22 people were killed in a raging fire Thursday near Haifa in northern Israel, Israeli ambulance service officials told CNN.
At least 25 people were seriously injured and the death toll is expected to rise in the blaze, which broke out in the Carmel forest region and has burned thousands of acres. Initially, authorities said 40 people had died.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office called it one of the worst known fires in Israel and ordered the military to assist rescue and firefighting efforts.
Netanyahu was in touch with leaders from the governments of Italy, Cyprus and Russia seeking assistance in battling the fire.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that a bus overturned in the area and emergency forces were trying to reach it.
A spokesman for Israel's prison authority said the bus was carrying prison employees and that no prisoners were on board.
It is not clear how the fire started.
Firefighters were continuing to fight the blaze as authorities evacuated communities in the area.
The fire was bolstered by strong winds, cutting power and covering Haifa in smoke.
Inmates of the Damon prison were forced to evacuate and were sent to temporary jails nearby.
Police were investigating if the blaze started in an illegal dumping ground.

Source : CNN