VIDEO: Graphic shark attack in Israel as diver is confirmed dead
In this DML Report…
A diver identified as Barak Tzach was attacked by a shark off the coast of Hadera, Israel, and is presumed dead after his remains were recovered on April 22. The incident occurred near a stream emptying into the Mediterranean, where dusky and sandbar sharks, attracted by warm water from a nearby power plant and recent fish die-offs, have been gathering. Eyewitnesses reported the diver shouting, “I’m bitten,” while flailing in the water, as captured in graphic social media footage. Israeli police and Lehava divers conducted extensive searches, recovering items belonging to Tzach and later confirming his remains through forensic analysis.
The attack took place in an area known for frequent shark sightings, where endangered dusky and sandbar sharks have drawn crowds of swimmers, divers, and snorkelers, despite prohibitions on swimming. Yigael Ben-Ari, head of Israel’s Parks and Nature Authority marine ranger force, noted that the diver’s behavior around the sharks is unknown but emphasized that the public should avoid entering the water or interacting with these wild animals. The presence of fishermen, boats, and beachgoers has created dangerous intersections with sharks unaccustomed to human crowds, raising concerns among conservation groups about the need for better separation of people and marine predators.
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Israeli authorities closed the Hadera beach following the attack, and police continued searches to ensure no further incidents. The event has sparked calls from nature groups for stricter measures to protect both humans and sharks in the region. While the exact shark species involved remains unconfirmed, dusky sharks are common in the area. This rare attack underscores the risks of human-wildlife interactions in waters where sharks are increasingly drawn by environmental factors like power plant discharges and fish die-offs, prompting renewed focus on public safety and marine conservation policies.