A 14-year-old boy from Jerusalem was found alive and well late on Thursday night after going missing in the Judean desert. The teenager had been lost for several hours without food or water.
The boy had gone hiking with his family and friends near Nahal Bokek, in the Dead Sea area. The group split into two smaller groups, and his absence was noticed once they left.
The hikers reported his absence immediately, and rescue teams from Arad and Ein Gedi began the search. A team from Gush Etzion joined in as well.
Rescuers began to fear for the boy's life as the hours passed, worrying that without water he could quickly dehydrate.
The youth was located late at night in a crevice next to the Bokek river.
Rescue workers took the opportunity to remind those touring the region to always bring maps and adequate water when setting off on hikes. They warned that many families enter national parks without sufficiently understanding or preparing for the risks involved.