A bus driver was killed and 23 passengers were injured Friday morning when a bus carrying Chareidi girls on a trip collided with a tractor on Highway 25 near Moshav Shibolim in the Negev.

The driver, approximately 50 years old, became trapped in the wreckage and was pronounced dead despite rescue efforts. Three passengers were reported moderately injured and approximately 20 lightly injured. Firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene, and police opened an investigation.