Two drown along Israel’s Mediterranean coast, others hospitalized

Two people drowned Saturday along Israel’s Mediterranean coast while numerous others required medical treatment after non-fatal incidents.

A 29-year-old drowned while swimming at an unrecognized beach near Ga’ash, a kibbutz in central Israel. He was pulled from the water in critical condition and taken by medics to Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba, where he was pronounced dead.

A 17-year-old with whom he was in the water was hospitalized in serious condition.

Earlier, an 80-year-old man drowned off the southern city of Ashkelon. The man was brought to a local hospital in critical condition, but doctors later declared his death.

Neither of the two fatalities was immediately named.

Along with the teenager near Ga’ash, three others were hospitalized in serious condition after nearly drowning — a 16-year-old near Zikim, a 40-year-old at Sdot Yam and a 55-year-old north of Netanya.

Several others were in moderate or light condition after similar incidents.

Since the swimming season began in late March, 26 people have died in drownings, according to figures from the Magen David Adom ambulance service.