What was meant to be an exciting day by the sea quickly turned into a nightmare off the coast of Hadera, Israel.
A man—described as a married father—had expressed a bold desire: he wanted to swim with sharks.
But even after being warned against it, he entered the water near Olga Beach on a seemingly calm Monday afternoon.
According to a close friend, he was cautioned not to go into the sea.
“I told him not to do it,” the friend told Israeli news outlet Ynet.
“Then, I got the devastating news.”
A Haunting Final Moment
Horrifying video clips captured what came next.
The man was seen flailing in the water as it turned red—evidence of a brutal shark attack unfolding before stunned beachgoers.
An eyewitness recalled hearing the man’s chilling last words: “I’m bitten, I’m bitten,” as he raised his hands, calling for help. Within minutes, he vanished beneath the surface.
Reports say he may have been attacked by up to three sharks, and as of now, his body still hasn’t been recovered.
Search teams, including divers and jet skis, continue to scour the waters.
Sharks Attracting Risky Behavior
Interestingly, the man wasn’t alone in wanting a closer look at the marine predators.
Other beachgoers, including children, had been seen wading into the shallow waters just moments before the attack—some even reportedly touched the sharks.
Videos shared online show people marveling as sharks swam between their legs.
Shockingly, there were even claims of some individuals grabbing sharks by the tail or hitting them with oars.
The chairwoman of the Israeli Shark Association strongly condemned these actions, calling them “unreasonable” and dangerous.
A Call for Regulation
In the wake of the incident, The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel has reiterated its long-standing warning.
They pointed out that every winter, sharks and rays are drawn to the warmer waters released by nearby power stations—a phenomenon unique to this region.
Back in 2021, the organization urged the government to establish clear guidelines and protections, not only to preserve marine life but also to keep the public safe.
“What could be an incredible, educational natural event has turned into chaos,” a spokesperson said.
Scenes of Panic and Disbelief
One beachgoer described the scene, saying they began recording after noticing unusual movement in the water.
“I realized they were sharks. They came very close—within about 50 to 100 meters of shore—which created panic. Still, some people ignored the lifeguards and tried to get closer.”
The sharks reportedly moved gracefully along the coast, almost performing a “dance” before disappearing.
Rare But Deadly
Shark attacks in the Mediterranean Sea are exceedingly rare.
Since 1900, there have only been 50 recorded incidents—just 11 of them fatal.
But despite the low risk, this recent tragedy underscores how dangerous it can be to ignore warnings and treat wild animals as spectacles.
Search Efforts and Warnings
As of now, emergency responders are continuing to search for the missing man.
Helicopters have been deployed, scanning the water from above, while lifeguards and marine police patrol below.
Authorities have officially closed Olga Beach until further notice and are pleading with the public to stay out of the water.
A police spokesperson confirmed that they received a distress call at 3:02 PM Monday.
“We were told a diver had been attacked by a shark. Officers and maritime forces responded immediately, but no victim has yet been found,” the statement read.
What Happens Next?
The tragic event has reignited debates about public safety and environmental management in the area.
Should shark-watching activities be better regulated?
Will the government now take stronger action to protect both marine life and curious swimmers?
For now, the coast remains under close watch, as the community waits for answers—and hopefully, some sense of closure.