A 24-year-old Israeli from Jerusalem was killed Thursday morning, Chol Hamoed Sukkos, in a kayaking accident in Norway, ZAKA's international emergency hotline (1220) reported. A second Israeli who was with him during the trip was injured in the accident and is hospitalized in a local hospital.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "The Israeli embassy in Oslo and the Department for Israelis in Distress Abroad have been handling the case with local authorities from the moment the report was received, are in contact with the family and are accompanying them in this difficult time."
Upon receiving the initial report, ZAKA's international unit began working intensively with Norwegian authorities and relevant agencies, in close coordination with the Foreign Ministry.
The main efforts at this hour are focused on preventing autopsy of the body, out of strict observance of kavod hameis, and on advancing arrangements to transfer the body for burial according to halacha in Eretz Yisrael.
Chaim Weingarten, ZAKA's deputy director of operations, said: "This is a tragic and difficult incident. From the moment we received the report, we have been working through ZAKA's international unit, in coordination with the Foreign Ministry, with local authorities in Norway.
"At this hour, extensive efforts are being made to prevent autopsy of the body and to bring about its release and transfer to Israel as soon as possible. We are in contact with the relevant agencies and will continue to act as required."
