The family of Elian Asterich of Holon has filed a negligence lawsuit in Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court against the company that operates the Secret Forest hotel near Paphos, Cyprus, and against its founder and owner, Yehonatan “Yoni” Kahana. The suit says severe negligence, failure to prepare for medical emergencies, and a major delay in calling for help caused her death during a Christmas 2024 vacation.
According to the claim, filed by attorney Nir Yislovich, Asterich was 71 when she arrived at the hotel two days earlier with three friends for a four-night stay. On December 24, after a mud treatment, she used the hotel’s hot pools, despite her relatives’ allegation that the hotel said access required medical approval, was time-limited, and supervised by staff, conditions they say were not enforced.
The lawsuit says that around 1:40 a.m. on the night between December 24 and 25, Asterich complained of severe breathing difficulties and told a friend, “I have no air.” She then collapsed and lost consciousness. Her friends reportedly ran to the lobby for help, but the reception desk was unmanned. The suit alleges that for many minutes no staff member could help, there was no medical personnel on site, no emergency protocol was activated, and no basic medical equipment was available. It also says the only employee found had difficulty communicating in English and did not know what to do.
After another delay, an ambulance was called. The ambulance report cited in the filing says the emergency call was received at 2:03 a.m. and the crew arrived at 2:34 a.m. Asterich was taken to hospital with no signs of life, and her death was declared shortly afterward.
An expert opinion by cardiologist Dr. Rasin Tubi, attached to the case, says she died from acute respiratory failure that led to severe oxygen deprivation and a fatal arrhythmia. It says she received no medical treatment or even basic assistance for about 50 to 55 minutes, and that timely treatment might have prevented her death or delayed it by many years. The family is seeking compensation for the estate’s losses, loss of support, and damages to her husband and children. Before that, they must convince the Israeli court to hear the case, arguing that the hotel marketed itself to Israelis, used Hebrew content, accepted bookings from Israel, and presented itself as a kosher hotel aimed at Israeli guests. No defense statement has been filed yet.
