Major search underway for missing teen washed out to sea near Hadera

Rescue services continued a major search Monday for a teenager who was washed out to sea the day before off the coast of Hadera, Israel Police said.

Initial indications were that a large wave knocked the 18-year-old off a breakwater where he was sitting with two friends, also aged 17-18, at the Olga fishing beach near the power station in the city, according to Hebrew media reports.

His companions were able to haul themselves from the water, but the third teen disappeared into the sea.

A woman identified only as Rakefet said she was walking on the beach when she saw the teenagers desperately trying to get her attention.

“One was using his hands to give a distress signal,” she told Channel 12 News. “At that stage, I didn’t know that a few seconds earlier there had been another youth with them who fell into the sea. I alerted rescue service because the waves were a meter and half and I feared they would reach [the teenagers].”

She said when she reached the teenagers she smelt alcohol.

“They were shaking, wandering about, and crying,” Rakefet said.

She said the teenagers made efforts to help their friend, including throwing a safety ring into the water. She said the response from emergency services was rapid, with rescuers arriving within minutes.

A police helicopter, water vessels, and an Israeli navy ship along with many volunteers were participating in the operation. Divers from the Fire and Rescue Services, along with volunteer divers, were taking the search beneath the waves.

Police said that the force, together with welfare services, is providing support for the missing teen’s family.

Police were alerted to the incident on Sunday evening. Police jet skis set out to look for the teen, a resident of the Pe’er neighborhood of Hadera. The search continued until the early hours of the morning and then continued after daybreak.