Hikers find human remains in Negev desert
Skeleton being examined by forensic experts
Hikers in Israel’s southern Negev desert found human remains on Wednesday, police said.
Officers called to the scene at Nahal Yamin collected the skeleton and took it to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv for examination.
There were no immediate details on who the body may have belonged to, and how long ago the person was believed to have died.
The area is some 40 miles from the Negev desert site where, in 2017, a British tourist went missing. Oliver McAfee’s disappearance still remains unsolved. Authorities gave no indication Wednesday on whether they suspected a link.
In January 2018, hikers walking the Israel National Trail near Mitzpe Ramon found McAfee’s wallet, keys and laptop and handed them over to authorities, prompting police to launch a search.
Other items and evidence of McAfee’s whereabouts were found that same month, but there have been no developments since.
Sue Surkes contributed to this report.