Severe rains in Israel blamed on tourist drowning

Heavy rain on Friday caused problems across central Israel, as much of the region was flooded, main thoroughfares were closed off, and area residents were trapped in their homes and cars.

Heavy rain on Friday caused problems across central Israel, as much of the region was flooded, main thoroughfares were closed off, and area residents were trapped in their homes and cars.

In Netanya, rescue personnel have been searching for a tourist from Belarus who disappeared from a local beach. The tourist was with two friends, one of whom was pulled from the water in serious condition and was pronounced dead several hours later in Laniado Hospital, Sanz Medical Center in Netanya. The third man was not injured.

Several people were reported injured or missing on Friday as a result of the stormy conditions. A 65-year-old woman was hit by a bus she had been riding in Ra’anana when she slipped while getting off. She was taken to Meir Hospital in Kfar Sava for treatment.

The rain also caused extensive damage across the area. Thousands of Ramat Hasharon residents suffered extensive electricity cuts after a transformer was damaged. A fallen tree there also damaged a nearby parked car. In Kfar Sava, a downed electricity pole stopped traffic for hours.

The weather also led to the postponement of the Tel Aviv memorial marking 14 years since the assassination of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, organizers said on Friday. The ceremony was scheduled to take place Saturday night at Rabin Square. However, organizers expressed concern that few people would attend because of the rain that pelted central Israel on Friday. Similar conditions were forecasted for Saturday.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...