Israeli Ex-Soldier Killed in Paragliding Accident in Colombia

A recently discharged Israeli soldier, identified in Colombian media as Noam Maman, died on Thursday in a paragliding accident near Medellin, Colombia, while on his post-army "big trip." The incident occurred in the San Félix area, within the municipality of Bello, north of Medellin in the Antioquia department.

Maman, who held both Israeli and German citizenship, was on a tandem paragliding flight with a local instructor when the parachute reportedly lost control and crashed in a wooded area. Initial findings are investigating whether weather conditions, including strong winds reported by witnesses, contributed to the crash, though the exact cause remains under investigation. The accident happened near kilometer 5.8 on the road connecting Medellin to San Pedro de los Milagros.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Israeli Embassy in Colombia and the department for Israelis in distress abroad are assisting Maman's family and coordinating with local authorities to expedite the return of his body to Israel for burial. The Chabad emissary in Medellin, Rabbi Levi Wunu, is also working with the embassy and local authorities on this matter.

The Colombian paragliding instructor, Emiliano Muneiton Castro, sustained serious injuries and was transported to Pablo Tobón Uribe Hospital in Medellin, where his condition is described as critical. Firefighters, police, and rescue teams responded to the crash site, along with investigators from Colombia's Attorney General's investigative unit (CTI) to gather evidence.

Authorities are also examining the operations of the company that organized the paragliding flight. Local authorities stated that the company is properly licensed and holds the necessary permits. The process of repatriating Maman's body to Israel is underway.