Hadera shark attack: Remains found a day after diver goes missing

Almost 24 hours after a diver vanished following a shark attack off Hadera’s coast, divers from the Lahava Unit found remains and evidence around noon on Tuesday, about 250 meters from where the attack happened. The items have been handed over to experts for further examination, as the search for the missing man continues.

What Happened

The diver, a married man in his 40s, a father, and a resident of central Israel, went missing on Monday after diving in the waters near the Hadera River estuary, a spot famous for attracting sharks because of the warm water from a nearby power plant. Authorities believe he was attacked by sharks. His belongings were found on the beach, but despite extensive searches, he hasn’t been located.

Searches picked back up Tuesday morning after stopping Monday night due to darkness. Overnight, teams kept looking along the shoreline. Navy boats, maritime police, and the Lahava Unit used special equipment to scour the water, hoping to find the man’s body.

The Search and Discovery

Around midday Tuesday, Lahava divers spotted remains and evidence in the search area, a quarter of a kilometer from the attack site. The finds were quickly turned over to professionals for analysis, though it’s not yet clear if they belong to the missing diver. Video footage shared by David Cohen at 15:56 showed the remains being moved to a ZAKA ambulance, a somber moment in the ongoing effort.

A Dangerous Attraction

Hadera’s sharks have been a big draw for curious visitors, especially during the Passover holiday. People have flocked to the beach, some getting dangerously close to the sharks to snap photos. Reports even mention folks grabbing sharks’ tails or hitting them with sticks for fun. The Sharks in Israel Association has been sounding alarms about this behavior, saying it’s reckless and disrespectful to these large wild animals. “Sharks have always been part of our coast,” they said. “They’re here in the sea, and we need to respect them and keep our distance.”

The group pointed out that warmer April waters and dead fish in nearby streams have put the sharks into a feeding mode, which might have played a role in the attack. But they stressed that Monday’s incident is highly unusual, as sharks rarely attack humans. “We don’t know exactly what happened, and we’re not trying to guess,” they added. “We’ll wait for the facts.”

Confusion and Rumors

In the hours after the attack, rumors spread on Telegram that the victim was Uri Pizanti, a founder of the Sharks in Israel Association known for diving with Hadera’s sharks. The group quickly shut that down, saying, “Uri Pizanti is alive and well and doesn’t appreciate the rumors. Please don’t spread unverified news.” The mix-up shows how fast misinformation can take off online, especially in a crisis.

Why This Matters

The attack has put a spotlight on the risks of getting too close to wild animals, even in a place as familiar as Hadera’s beach. Despite warnings, authorities didn’t do enough to keep crowds away from the sharks during the holiday, which some say set the stage for this rare tragedy. The association made it clear: “This kind of behavior, grabbing tails, hitting sharks, isn’t okay. It’s a problem if people don’t get that.”

As the community waits for more answers, the focus is on supporting the diver’s family and understanding what went wrong. The Sharks in Israel Association summed it up: “Our hearts are with the family. We’ll share updates when we know more.”

Sources: Kikar HaShabbat, Sharks in Israel Association statement, David Cohen footage.