Hadera, Israel – Authorities have resumed their search for a diver believed to have been attacked by a shark off the coast of Hadera on Monday, April 21. The search, which was paused overnight due to darkness, continues with rescuers expressing little hope of finding the man alive. The Hadera Stream Beach, where the incident occurred, remains closed to the public as emergency teams comb the area.
The attack took place near the Orot Rabin power station, an area known for attracting dusky and sandbar sharks due to warm water discharges from the plant. Beachgoers witnessed the horrifying event, reporting that the diver screamed for help, shouting, “They’re biting me!” before being dragged further out to sea. A video circulating on social media captured the chaotic scene, showing blood in the water and the diver struggling as sharks circled him. Witnesses noted that the man was in a prohibited swimming zone at the time of the attack, a precaution long emphasized by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority due to the seasonal presence of sharks in the region.
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The Hadera Municipality’s Coastal Department has deployed jet skis and helicopters to assist in the search, but as of Tuesday morning, the diver remains missing. His belongings, including a bicycle and a bag, were found on the beach, providing a grim clue to his identity. Reports also indicate that a rescue diver searching for the man was attacked by a shark, further complicating the operation.
⚡A shark attack off Olga Beach in Hadera, occupied Palestine, reportedly left one Israeli dead.
— Muslim Voice (@MuslimVoice_eng) April 21, 2025
Footage shows swimmers, including children, observing and trying to pet the shark moments before it attacked, with no intervention taken.#Palestine #IsraelTerorrist #FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/GS6pVeffkr
Marine experts have pointed to environmental factors contributing to the incident. Recent fish die-offs in the nearby Hadera and Alexander Streams, likely caused by heat waves and extreme water temperature changes, have attracted sharks closer to shore. “Sharks are drawn to these areas to feed on dead or dying fish,” explained Dr. Adi Barash, a marine biologist with the Sharks in Israel group. She criticized human behavior, noting that some beachgoers have been seen interacting with sharks—pulling their tails or swimming near them with children—despite warnings. “This can easily lead to attacks,” she added.
Shark attacks are rare in Israel, with only a handful documented in the past 80 years. The last notable incident occurred in 2013, when a man working in offshore fish cages near Ashdod suffered a partial arm amputation. Experts emphasize that dusky and sandbar sharks, which frequent the Hadera coast between November and May, are not typically aggressive toward humans unless provoked. However, the combination of environmental changes and risky human behavior may have contributed to this tragic event.
The Interior Ministry has ordered the closure of all beaches between Hadera and Netanya, with black flags posted to prohibit swimming. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the water and refrain from interacting with sharks, which are protected animals in Israel. As the search continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of disregarding safety warnings in areas known for shark activity.
