Israel – Dead Sea Keeps Missing Mea Shearim Boy Alive

Israel – A massive manhunt and rescue operation ended in joy around midnight, after a missing child was found alive, floating in the Dead Sea. The high salt and mineral content of the water, while extremely dangerous to ingest, kept the child afloat.

Eight-year-old Schneur Zalman Friedman disappeared within minutes after he entered the water with his father and brother. It is known that high winds often blow through the Dead Sea area towards evening, cooling off the heat of the day, but in this case, they caused the tide to carry him away.

The family, residents of the Mea Shearim neighborhood in Jerusalem, immediately raised the alarm when they could not find him.

Helicopters and small planes were brought in to search from the air as police, IDF soldiers, Hatzoloh Israel and Zaka rescue volunteers combed the beach area on foot.

The Jordanian government was notified in order to avoid misunderstandings about the purpose of the lights and flares used to track down the youngster. The opposite shore of the Dead Sea belongs to Jordan.

The IDF officially called off the search after five hours searching, but Hatzoloh workers insisted on continuing their efforts. Their persistence paid off.  The boy was finally spotted by rescue workers, floating in the water at the Ein Gedi beach, some three kilometers south of where he entered the water.  Rescue workers said the boy was in good condition, though somewhat exhausted, when they pulled him from the water.  He later said he knew he had to keep his head above water, though he fell asleep briefly at one point. [Arutz Sheva]