15 soldiers were injured on Friday afternoon when a fire broke out  in the water pump of a Dvora-class patrol boat that was patrolling near the Gaza coast.

The 15, who suffered smoke inhalation, were taken for treatment at an Ashdod naval base and then were taken for further treatment at the Kaplan, Barzilai and Tel Hashomer Hospitals.

The sailors were able to extinguish the flames. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said that an initial investigation revealed that the fire was caused by a technical malfunction.

Earlier this week, an Israeli navy Tzir’a-class vessel capsized 1.5 kilometers from the coast, while patrolling the Mediterranean waters near Ashkelon.

In response, a missile boat was sent to the site, and rescue crews brought some of the sailors to the shore. None of them were hurt.