Freediver Missing Off Haifa Coast, Massive Search Underway

A large-scale search operation is underway off the coast of Haifa for a young man in his 20s who disappeared while freediving on Thursday. The man, a resident of Haifa, went freediving without breathing apparatus at Students Beach and has not been seen since. His relative, who was accompanying him from a kayak, noticed he wasn't surfacing and alerted rescue forces.

Following the alert, significant police forces, rescue units, and other emergency personnel were deployed to the area, transforming it into an intensive search zone. The search efforts resumed at first light with expanded scope. Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai arrived at the command post established on the beach to assess the situation and monitor the progress of the search.

The operation involves officers from the Carmel precinct, the Marine Police unit, volunteer jeep units, ZAKA (National Rescue and Recovery Service) personnel, firefighters from the Lahav unit, and additional forces. Simultaneously, a police helicopter, drones, boats, and jet skis are scanning the sea, while ground teams, mounted police, and motorcyclists are searching the coastline.

Police stated the man was freediving without any breathing equipment. All forces are continuing their efforts to locate him as quickly as possible. As of now, he has not been found, and the search continues at sea and from the air with hopes of a breakthrough.