Rescue Success
Breakthrough: Missing Israeli Yacht Found Safe Near Cyprus, Four Crew Members Head Home
After two days of fear, the missing Israeli yacht was found safe near Cyprus with its four crew members, who are now returning to Israel where police are waiting to question some of them about the incident.
Contact Restored After Fears
A major search and rescue operation in the Eastern Mediterranean concluded with immense relief today, Wednesday, after Cypriot authorities successfully made contact with a missing Israeli yacht and its four crew members. The yacht, which departed from Ashkelon Marina heading toward Cyprus, lost communication near Paphos two days ago, sparking fears for the lives of those onboard amid Storm Byron.
The four Israeli crew members, three residents of the Bedouin village of Shibli-Umm al-Ghanam in the Lower Galilee, and a fourth person from Haifa who reportedly belongs to the company that owns the yacht, are confirmed to be safe. The names of three of the crew members were released as Zayd Sultan, Rami Suleiman, and Muhammad Fara'ira.
The initial investigation suggests the vessel was not in distress but had only lost communication. The head of Shibli-Umm al-Ghanam Local Council, Hatem Shibli, confirmed that according to information from Cypriot authorities, the powerful storm likely caused an electrical short circuit on the boat, disabling all electrical systems and severing contact. "They thankfully held out, and apparently the wind also changed direction," Shibli said, adding, "They are now on their way back to Israel."
Complex Search Operation
The search effort was extensive and multi-national, involving forces from Cyprus, Israel, and Greece. The Israeli Air Force, the Israeli Shipping and Ports Authority, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were all mobilized.
The last known signal from the yacht was received approximately 12 hours before the connection was restored, coming from the skipper's phone, which abruptly disconnected from the cellular network. This location was obtained following a request by the Israel Police to Cypriot authorities as part of the search efforts.
The Israeli Shipping and Ports Authority praised the successful cooperation with Cyprus and Greece. They detailed that search efforts, which began after communication was lost, included radio calls, phone geo-location requests, the deployment of search vessels, and the activation of a naval helicopter.
Police Investigation Awaits
Despite the massive relief, the event has taken a complex turn. The Israel Police confirmed that some of the Israeli crew members onboard the vessel are known to them and are expected to be questioned immediately upon their arrival back in Israel. The police are set to open an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, though initial checks indicate the yacht was only suffering from a loss of contact.
The father of one of the Israelis shared his immense relief with the media, saying, "My son is alive and he is feeling well. The main thing is that this incident is over, and we are already waiting to see him at home." He also thanked everyone who had worried and prayed for his son and the crew. The Ministry of Transport commended the swift joint effort to resolve the potentially catastrophic situation.