Israeli tourists reported missing in Peru rafting accident

Israelis confirmed involved in incident at spot popular with adventure-seekers

Rafting in Peru (photo credit: CC BY-SA/jon.roberts)
Rafting in Peru (photo credit: CC BY-SA/jon.roberts)

Several Israeli tourists were involved in a rafting accident in Peru, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, leading to fears for their safety.

The accident occurred along a stretch of the Apurímac River in southern Peru frequented by adventure tourists. The exact nature of the incident was not immediately clear, although Haaretz reported that a  river raft carrying eight tourists and a guide capsized in the river.

No reports have come out regarding casualties.

A party of Israelis was confirmed to have been involved in the accident, and while some of them have been accounted for, two Israeli citizens were still missing, the Foreign Ministry said. The ministry has been in touch with the missing Israelis’ families.

Peruvian search and rescue teams were dispatched to the area, and the Israeli consul in Lima was sent to the scene to investigate and is in touch with local authorities.

According to a ministry official cited by Ynet News, at least two Israelis have died in rafting accidents near the same spot in the past.

 

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