After two days of fear, the missing Israeli yacht was found safe near Cyprus with its four crew members, who are now returning to Israel where police are waiting to question some of them about the incident
A major search and rescue operation in the Eastern Mediterranean concluded with immense relief, after Cypriot authorities successfully made contact with a missing Israeli yacht and its four crew members. The yacht, which departed from Ashkelon Marina heading toward Cyprus, lost communication near Paphos two days ago, sparking fears for the lives of those onboard amid Storm Byron.
The four Israeli crew members, three residents of the Bedouin village of Shibli-Umm al-Ghanam in the Lower Galilee, and a fourth person from Haifa who reportedly belongs to the company that owns the yacht, are confirmed to be safe. The names of three of the crew members were released as Zayd Sultan, Rami Suleiman, and Muhammad Fara'ira.
The initial investigation suggests the vessel was not in distress but had only lost communication. The head of Shibli-Umm al-Ghanam Local Council, Hatem Shibli, confirmed that according to information from Cypriot authorities, the powerful storm likely caused an electrical short circuit on the boat, disabling all electrical systems and severing contact. "They thankfully held out, and apparently the wind also changed direction," Shibli said, adding, "They are now on their way back to Israel."