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In a rare and chilling incident off Israel’s Mediterranean coast, authorities are searching for a swimmer believed to have been bitten by a shark near Olga Beach, just north of Hadera. Witnesses reported seeing someone screaming for help and blood in the water on Monday morning, prompting an emergency response.
Despite a full-scale search operation involving medics, police, and inspectors from the Nature and Parks Authority, no victim has yet been found. Divers and search teams have scoured the area, which is officially closed to swimmers due to safety risks. Later in the day, a bicycle and a bag, possibly belonging to the missing person, were found near the beach, raising further concerns.
“This is a serious situation, but so far we have found no one,” said a paramedic with Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency medical service.
The beach has now been closed to the public until further notice, with police urging people to stay out of the water. “There’s a strong possibility a shark attacked a swimmer here,” police said in a statement. “Please avoid entering the water and steer clear of any shark sightings.”
Experts say shark sightings in the Hadera area are not uncommon during the winter months, particularly near the mouth of the Alexander River. This year, however, several sharks were spotted unusually close to shore during Passover.
Itamar Avishai, scientific director of the marine non-profit EcoOcean, says the presence of sharks in this region may be linked to a recent fish die-off, which drew the predators closer to land. “It’s important to remember, though, that sharks are not naturally aggressive toward humans,” he explained. “They don’t go looking for a fight—but if provoked, they will defend themselves.”
He added, “A shark attack like this is incredibly rare, even globally. But these are wild animals, and people should be cautious, especially in areas where swimming is not allowed.”
*Source: JPost.com
