A 34-year-old Jerusalem resident drowned while swimming with his family in Limassol, Cyprus on Tuesday. His body was recovered from the Mediterranean after approximately two hours of searching.
According to Cypriot police, the man, a Jerusalem resident, had been swimming with his family when he disappeared from view. His relatives immediately began searching for him, however some two hours later a paraglider flying over the area noticed a body floating in the water and alerted the emergency services. Rescuers recovered him from the sea, but he was pronounced dead.
ZAKA, Israel's emergency response organization, said it was working with the Foreign Ministry and Cypriot authorities to assist the man's family and complete the procedures required to repatriate his body for burial in Israel.
According to Hebrew sources, the family had traveled to the Mediterranean island for vacation when the fatal incident occurred. The victim leaves behind a wife and four children.
ZAKA's Response
According to a statement from ZAKA's International Division director Baruch Niddam, the organization coordinated immediately with local authorities and the Foreign Ministry. "Upon receiving the report at ZAKA's International Division center, teams immediately began handling the dignity of the deceased and coordinating with local authorities in order to release the deceased for transfer to Israel for continued burial and funeral," Niddam stated, according to Hebrew media.
"This is an Israeli, age 34, married with four children, who went to swim in the sea together with his family and suddenly disappeared for several hours," Niddam added. "His family members began searching for him together with local police, and unfortunately he was recovered from the water without signs of life. ZAKA's international division team is working continuously together with Eternal Rest [funeral services], the Foreign Ministry and all relevant authorities in order to bring the deceased to burial as soon as possible."
Cyprus as Tourist Destination
Cyprus is one of the most popular overseas destinations for Israelis because of its close proximity, with direct flights from Israel taking about an hour. Thousands of Israelis visit the Mediterranean island each year for vacations, business trips and family travel.
Under Israeli practice, the Foreign Ministry assists the families of citizens who die abroad by coordinating with local authorities and facilitating the return of their remains for burial in Israel.
Baruch Dayan HaEmet.
