A swimmer is currently unaccounted for following an extremely rare shark attack that occurred off Hadera's coast in northern Israel on Monday. This unsettling incident took place approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Tel Aviv, drawing significant attention from locals and authorities.
Eyewitnesses at Olga Beach captured the alarming event as they shouted in disbelief while recording videos shared on social media. Typically, sharks frequent this area due to warm water released by a nearby power plant, particularly during this season, yet they are generally considered harmless. Notably, Israel has not experienced a recorded fatal shark attack since its founding in 1948.
In the aftermath of the attack, police have closed the beach, and search operations for the missing individual are currently underway. Witness accounts reveal a chaotic scene, with one person, Eliya Motai, stating, “I was in the water, I saw blood and there were screams.” He described the terrifying experience, sharing that he had seen sharks circling in the vicinity just the day prior.
The Orot Rabin power station, Israel’s largest, is known to attract dusky and sanbar sharks due to the warm water and abundant fish drawn in by local streams. According to YNet, Monday’s incident marks only the fourth documented shark attack in Israel’s history, raising concerns about water safety and the natural behavior of marine life in the region. As the investigation progresses, officials remain vigilant to protect swimmers while searching for the missing person.
