A 66-year-old Israeli man who embarked on a solo cycling trip in Finland has been found dead by the side of a road, local authorities confirmed Sunday. According to Finnish police, initial assessments suggest he was killed after being struck by a passing vehicle while riding his bicycle.
The man's family reported him missing to local authorities after losing contact with him roughly a week ago. Finnish police launched a search operation following the report, and on Sunday announced that his body had been located alongside a roadway.
Preliminary findings point to a collision with a vehicle during his cycling journey as the cause of death. Following the discovery, ZAKA's International Unit began coordinating with Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the victim's family in Israel, and Finnish authorities to arrange the necessary procedures for bringing his body back to Israel for burial.
Chaim Weingarten, ZAKA's Deputy Director of Operations, said: "From the moment we received the report, we have been accompanying the family and working with authorities in Finland to arrange the required procedures. We will do everything possible to bring the deceased to burial in Israel as soon as possible and with the dignity he deserves."
