The body of a 20-year-old American tourist was recovered on Sunday after he went missing the day before while hiking a difficult mountains trail near Eilat.
Israeli police began searching for the tourist when he failed to return from his hike to Mount Shlomo on Saturday. The trail is about 7 miles northwest of the city and is described online as a “challenging climb with breathtaking views.” Sections of the trail require holding onto metal bars embedded in the rock.
The body was discovered in a ravine several hundred meters deep and was airlifted out by an IDF helicopter belonging to the 669 search and rescue unit.
טרגדיה בנגב: גופתו של תייר אמריקני כבן 20 אותרה בהרי אילת • @bokeralmog עם כל הפרטים >> https://t.co/Cm9zSrSNVp pic.twitter.com/WLleVEOQcE
— החדשות 13 (@newsisrael13) March 10, 2019
Police opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, although no foul play is suspected. The initial indication is that the man slipped and fell down a steep rock face while hiking the trail.
The man’s identity was withheld from the media though his family has been informed.
Source: Israel in the News
