Two bodies of missing youth at Kinneret identified, third still missing

The search is concentrated some 300 meters from Lavnun beach on the eastern side of the lake where the missing were last seen.

By ELIYAHU KAMISHER
Updated: APRIL 18, 2017 11:57
Police search for three missing people at Lake Kinneret ( Sea of Galilee ) , April 12, 2017 (credit: LAKE KINNERET AUTHORITY)
Two bodies were found on Monday and identified as Nachman Itach, 21, and Liron Karadi, 17, six days after three young men were swept away by strong winds on Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee). The body of the third missing person Itamar Ohana, 19, has yet to be located.
Navy sonar was able to mark the location of the bodies at a depth of around 25 meters far off the the eastern coast, while a diver unit retrieved them for identification.
The three went missing in separate incidents while lounging on inflatable mattresses on the Kinneret on Wednesday.
The search was concentrated on the area some 300 meters from Lavnun Beach on the eastern side of the lake, where the missing men were last seen.
On Monday night Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan issued a condolences to the families stating, “Along with the joy of the holiday, it was also a sad evening in which the bodies of Liron Karadi and Nachman Itach were found. I am very sorry that the search has ended like this. My sincere condolences to the families.”
Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Roni Alsheich visited the police command center on the shores of the Kinneret on Sunday and said that the “working assumption is that the missing are apparently no longer alive.”
A navy crew utilizing sonar joined the search effort on Sunday, adding to police helicopter, boat, mounted and diving units along with ZAKA rescue units and volunteers.
In a statement on Monday, the Northern District Police reiterated safety warnings for those enjoying the lake over the Passover vacation. “In general, it is advisable not to enter the water alone, but with an additional adult, especially for small children,” police said.
JPost.com Staff contributed to this report.