5 KEY POINT SUMMARY
- A married father entered the sea to swim with sharks despite warnings.
- Horrifying footage shows the man being attacked near Olga Beach, Israel.
- His final words were “I’m bitten, I’m bitten,” before vanishing underwater.
- Officials say sharks often gather near power plants during the winter months.
- The beach remains closed as divers search and authorities urge people to stay out.
Diver’s Final Moments Captured In Shark Attack In Israel
A tragic shark attack in Israel has left a married father feared dead after he entered the water off Hadera’s Olga Beach, ignoring warnings from friends. Disturbing video footage captured the moment the man flailed in blood-red waters, reportedly shouting, “I’m bitten, I’m bitten,” before disappearing beneath the surface.
Eyewitnesses say the man had expressed a desire to swim with the sharks. Despite friends urging him to stay out, he entered the sea and was savaged within minutes by what’s believed to be at least three sharks.
Tourists Swam With Sharks Moments Before
The shark attack in Israel came just after social media users posted videos showing swimmers, including children, wading in shallow water as sharks glided nearby. Some thrill-seekers were seen grabbing the sharks’ tails or even striking them with oars, according to Israel’s Shark Association.
Experts called the behavior reckless and dangerous. “This is unreasonable and harmful,” said the association’s chairwoman. Environmental groups say the government failed to regulate human behavior near sharks, despite repeated warnings over the past four years.
Rescue Crews Launch Desperate Search
The diver remains missing as rescue teams, including jet skis, helicopters, and maritime police, continue their search. The Hadera Municipality Coastal Department confirmed they are actively searching for the man, urging beachgoers to avoid the water.
Police received the emergency call around 3:00 p.m. Monday, and despite multiple reports of a shark attack, no body has been recovered. Authorities have since closed Olga Beach indefinitely.
Sharks Drawn To Warm Waters Each Winter
The shark attack in Israel highlights a known natural occurrence: every winter, sharks and rays gather at the warm water outlets of coastal power stations. This spot near Hadera has long attracted curious visitors, but with little regulation, it’s become increasingly dangerous.
An observer from the Society for the Protection of Nature described seeing sharks just 150–300 feet from shore. “People panicked, but some still tried to get closer,” the witness said. “The sharks were doing a sort of dance before disappearing.”
Shark Attacks Rare—But Deadly
Shark attacks in the Mediterranean are extremely rare, with just 50 reported since 1900 and only 11 fatal. Still, the shark attack in Israel has reignited public calls for stricter regulations and safety measures.
Israeli police say no casualties have been confirmed, but the search continues. Meanwhile, officials are warning the public to stay out of the water and avoid any interaction with the sharks.
“People need to respect the wildlife,” one marine expert noted. “This was tragic, but it was also preventable.”
