Multiple Drownings and Water Accidents Reported in Israel Over Weekend

Over the weekend, as the summer vacation began, hundreds of thousands of Israelis visited beaches and swimming pools, raising concerns about drowning incidents. On Saturday afternoon, a man in his 50s drowned at Metzuda Beach in Ashdod. He was pulled from the water near the shore and despite prolonged resuscitation efforts by paramedics, his death was confirmed. The emergency call was received at 16:27 by Magen David Adom (MDA) in the Lachish region. Paramedics Orel Assulin and Simcha Hassid reported the man was unconscious, without pulse or breathing upon retrieval.

About half an hour later, at 17:04, a one-year-old baby drowned in a private pool in Herzliya. The infant was found semi-conscious on the poolside and was evacuated to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba in serious condition. Paramedics Idan Shina, Said Matar, and Mohammad Matar provided life-saving treatment at the scene.

Earlier on the same day, a woman in her 30s was seriously injured in a boating accident at the Lido Beach near the Sea of Galilee. She was struck by a boat motor while swimming and sustained severe limb injuries. MDA’s sea ambulance team, including paramedic Yair Erezi, medic Eyal Hadar, and boat operator Eyal Landsman, transported her to Poriya Hospital where she is expected to undergo surgery. Her condition was reported as moderate.

Additionally, the Sea of Galilee municipal authority reported rescuing a swimmer who had been missing for over an hour after swimming into deep water near Lebanon Beach. Rescuers, including inspectors Tzachi Gavish, Anan Kharanba, and Ami Biton, found the swimmer exhausted but in good condition and brought him safely ashore.