The bathing season opened about 10 days ago and since then six civilians drowned on the beach.
According to MDA, from the opening of the bathing season until today, one person was seriously injured, four are in moderate condition and 14 near-drownings are in mild condition.
The six deaths occurred in just one week's time. The first case occurred on May 24, when a 30-year-old man drowned in Rishon LeTzion's surfing beach. Last Wednesday, a 29-year-old man was found dead on Habonim Beach. On Shabbat, a young man of about 18 drowned in Yardenit, after CPR was performed he was evacuated in critical condition to the hospital where his death was determined. On Shabbat two tragic deaths occurred when a 21-year-old man drowned in the Hexagonal Pool in the Golan's Zavitan River and a 2-year-old toddler drowned in a pool. A 25-year-old man was pulled from the sea without vital signs north of the Monterey Beach in Tel Aviv after he drowned.
MDA CEO Eli Bin wants to raise public awareness: "The bathing season opened less than two weeks ago, tragically with high deaths and injuries of varying degrees. We urge the public to act more cautiously and responsibly, swim only at designated beaches and in groups, and regularly watch toddlers and children swimming in pools and on the beach. With responsibility, awareness, and caution the next tragedy can be avoided."