Man in His 50s Drowns at Coral Beach in Eilat Despite Rescue Efforts

A tragic drowning occurred on Tuesday at Coral Beach in Eilat, where a man in his 50s was pulled unconscious from the water. Paramedics from Magen David Adom (MDA) arrived promptly and performed prolonged resuscitation efforts, including chest compressions, ventilation, and medication administration. Despite these advanced medical interventions, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Eyewitnesses had initiated basic life support before the arrival of emergency responders. Paramedic Udi Edri and emergency medical technician Yehuda Ben Yitach, who were first on site, described the victim as unconscious when rescued from the sea. The Eilat ZAKA team was also called to handle the deceased.

This incident adds to a concerning number of drownings in Israel this year. Recent MDA data for 2025 shows 18 drownings in the Dead Sea, 134 in the Mediterranean, 12 in the Sea of Galilee, and 2 in the Red Sea, with the rest occurring in pools and private facilities. Men accounted for 74% of drowning victims, and children under 10 years old represented 30% of cases.

Coral Beach in Eilat is a marine nature reserve attracting many visitors year-round and is staffed by lifeguards. However, the inherent risks of swimming in open water require constant vigilance from all visitors.