Limassol, Cyprus. A 34-year-old Israeli tourist died after drowning while swimming off the coast of Limassol, police said on Wednesday.
Police were notified at about 3.30pm on Tuesday that an unconscious man had been found at a Limassol beach. Officers and an ambulance were sent to the scene, where the man was recovered from the water and taken to hospital, where his death was confirmed.
Search and recovery
According to Israeli media, the man, a resident of Jerusalem, had been swimming with his family when he disappeared from view.
His relatives began searching for him immediately. About two hours later, a paraglider flying over the area spotted a body floating in the water and alerted emergency services.
Rescuers recovered the man from the sea, but he was pronounced dead.
Repatriation procedures
Israeli volunteer emergency organisation ZAKA said it was working with the Israeli foreign ministry and Cypriot authorities to support the victim’s family and complete procedures to repatriate his body to Israel for burial.
ZAKA deputy operations director Chaim Weingarten described the incident as “a great tragedy”.
The circumstances surrounding the drowning are under investigation.
