A 23-year-old member of the Israeli Border Police’s counter-terrorism unit has been found dead off Haifa, Israel, almost three days after he went missing while freediving.
Master Sergeant First Class Itai Persson disappeared on Thursday, 10 September, while diving off Students Beach. His body was found on the seabed on Saturday, 12 September, approximately half a mile from shore.
Persson, a resident of Haifa, was freediving with his uncle, who remained on a kayak while he was in the water, and who called emergency services when he failed to resurface.
Police launched a search involving rescue divers supported by boats, jet skis, drones and a helicopter, while teams searched the coastline for signs of the missing freediver.
The Israeli Navy subsequently joined the operation, deploying its underwater missions unit, Yaltam, and naval commandos from Shayetet 13.
The search operation continued throughout the nights as well as during the day, until Persson’s body was found.
‘After three days of intensive and continuous operational activity, the missing person was located today,’ said Carmel district police commander Boaz Samucha in a statement announcing the recovery.
Samucha said hundreds of police officers, personnel and volunteers had been involved, and extended his thanks to all those who had assisted.
Persson’s family was notified before an official statement was made by the police, who have since launched an investigation into the incident.
Persson served in the observation and drone team of Yamam, the Border Police’s counter-terrorism unit. He is survived by his parents, two brothers, two sisters and his partner.
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