Partial Remains of Missing Diver Found After Suspected Shark Attack Near Hadera
A tragic incident off Israel’s central coast has shaken the country, as authorities confirmed that partial remains belonging to a missing diver have been discovered near the mouth of the Hadera River. The diver, a forty-year-old father of four from Petah Tikva, went missing after entering the waters earlier in the week for a solo fishing expedition.
The man, whose identity has not yet been officially released pending final confirmation, had reportedly traveled north after work to engage in recreational spearfishing—an activity he was known to enjoy. After he failed to return home, concerned family members notified the authorities. His car and personal items, including fishing equipment, were found abandoned on the beach, prompting a coordinated search effort involving multiple government agencies.
Search and rescue teams, including units from the Israeli Navy, maritime police, and the specialized Lahava diving rescue unit, were immediately dispatched to the area. Their efforts soon yielded grim evidence: a portion of human remains was located offshore and retrieved from the water. The discovery confirmed fears that the diver had likely fallen victim to a shark attack, an extremely rare occurrence in the region.
The remains were sent to the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for analysis. Police spokesperson Arie Doron informed the public that further items were also collected in the vicinity, and efforts were being made to conclusively identify the remains. Authorities expressed hope that definitive answers could be provided to the grieving family within a day.
In response to the incident, several beaches along the coast—including those in Hadera, Mikhmoret, Beit Yanai, and Neurim—were closed temporarily to swimmers and fishermen. Though shark sightings in the Mediterranean are not unprecedented, such attacks are extraordinarily uncommon. Nevertheless, the decision to close the beaches was made out of an abundance of caution as a precautionary safety measure for the general public.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the diver had strapped his catch to a belt around his waist, a common practice in spearfishing but one that can potentially attract predatory marine life. Experts note that the presence of bleeding fish can provoke aggressive behavior from sharks, particularly in areas where industrial facilities, such as the nearby power plant, discharge warm water that can attract marine species. The area near Hadera is known for seasonal shark gatherings during the winter months, as the warmer waters emitted from the power station’s cooling system offer a favorable environment for them.