29-Year-Old Israeli Killed in Car Crash Near Chisinau, Moldova

Akiva Rand, a 29-year-old Israeli citizen who also held a British passport, was killed on Wednesday in a serious road accident near Chisinau, Moldova. Rand, a young Haredi man, was traveling with a group visiting gravesites of righteous figures when the crash occurred. No other injuries were reported.

The fatal accident happened on the Chisinau-Dubasari highway, one of Moldova’s main traffic routes linking the capital with Dubasari. ZAKA said its emergency hotline received the first report in recent hours, saying the car carrying the young man had overturned into a ravine. Local rescue teams who arrived at the scene pulled him from the wrecked vehicle in critical condition, but his severe injuries forced them to pronounce him dead at the site.

Baruch Nidam, head of ZAKA’s international division, said the team arrived with Rabbi Salzman and found the wrecked vehicle inside the ravine. He said they began handling the body with dignity and coordinating with local authorities to release the deceased for transport to Israel for burial and funeral arrangements. Nidam added that ZAKA is working with Menucha Le'Ad, the Foreign Ministry, and other relevant parties to bring the body home as quickly as possible.