Man found dead after family becomes separated during West Bank hike
Rescue teams locate Binyamin Praga’s 2 children and their grandfather after hikers split up after dark in Jordan Valley; deceased man’s brother died in similar circumstances
The father of a family that went missing during a hike in the West Bank was found dead, apparently from dehydration, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
He was later named as 44-year-old Binyamin Praga from Modiin Illit.
His two children aged 12 and 13 were later found, suffering from exhaustion and dehydration but in good condition. Their 65-year-old grandfather was also found nearby and was also said to be in good condition.
According to the Walla news site, the deceased man’s brother died in similar circumstances 24 years ago at the Yehudiya stream in the north of the country.
The family became separated after sunset on Tuesday during the trip to the Yitav stream in the Jordan Valley, north of Jericho. According to Walla, they split up when the grandfather started to feel unwell during the hike.
The man and the two children went to try and get help, at which point the father also began to feel unwell, so the two children continued without him. The family was not reachable by phone.
הלב מסרב להאמין
טרגדיה קשה במודיעין עילית: הרב בנימין פרגא זצ״ל. אברך מישיבת כנסת הגדולה במודיעין עילית נפטר במהלך טיול בנחל ייטב, אחיו של הנפטר מת בנסיבות דומות לפני 24 שנה בטיול בנחל יהודיה ???? pic.twitter.com/LejIuHK9Z4— Yael Zien יעל צין (@YaelZien) August 2, 2023
Military and police rescue units launched a search in the area also known as Wadi Auja, the Megillot rescue unit said.
The grandfather and two children were located first. The children told rescuers they had not seen their father for around six hours, Hebrew media reported.
The IDF’s elite Special Rescue Unit 669 deployed a military helicopter to assist with the rescue efforts.
Another police helicopter launched a search and volunteers from the Megillot unit scoured the area on foot.
Authorities said Wednesday that anyone going for a hike in the desert during August should take at least five liters of water per person and have a familiarity with the terrain.
