Full Breakdown
Two 13-Year-Old Girls Drown in Jordan River; Search Ongoing
6/28/2026, 11:12:18 AM
Incident Overview
On Saturday, three 13-year-old girls from Abu Sinan entered the Jordan River near Lahavot HaBashan. A strong current swept two downstream; one girl reached shore and called emergency services. Israel Fire and Rescue Authority, police, and Magen David Adom (MDA) responded, recovered one unconscious girl who was pronounced dead, and continue searching for the missing girl. Sources differ on the hometown, naming either Lahavot HaBashan or Abu Sinan.
Official Response
Chief Superintendent Uri Cohen said multiple units, including the National Special Rescue Unit, are engaged. MDA paramedic Eli Ben Zaken confirmed the medical examination confirmed death. Police reported a helicopter from the Air Unit and volunteer rescuers on site. Beterem – Safe Kids Israel CEO Orly Silbinger warned that 2026 already shows three times more child drownings than the same period last year and urged greater public awareness of water safety. Divers are preparing to search the riverbed for the missing girl.
Drowning Trend
Beterem – Safe Kids Israel reports ten child drownings in Israel since early 2026, compared with 83 deaths from 2021-2025. The organization says the current pace could make 2026 one of the deadliest years for child drownings in the past decade.
Direct Voices
- “Several hours ago, MDA's 101 emergency dispatch center received a report of a girl who had drowned in the Jordan River. After prolonged searches, Fire and Rescue teams brought us a 13-year-old girl who was unconscious, without a pulse and not breathing. We conducted medical examinations, but unfortunately we had no choice but to pronounce her dead.” — Eli Ben Zaken, MDA paramedic
- “Numerous police forces are at the scene, including a helicopter from the Air Unit, Fire and Rescue teams, and volunteers from the rescue unit.” — Israel Police spokesperson
- “Today's drowning incident in the Jordan River is further evidence that drowning is an extremely serious danger, particularly in open natural bodies of water. Since the beginning of the year, we have witnessed a sharp increase in drowning incidents, with the current number standing at three times that recorded during the same period last year. If this trend continues, 2026 could become one of the deadliest years for child drownings in the past decade.” — Orly Silbinger, CEO, Beterem – Safe Kids Israel
- “Don't tell yourselves, 'It won't happen to me.' When it comes to teenagers, it is important to educate them about safe behavior around water, to strictly avoid drinking alcohol before entering the water, and in open bodies of water to swim only at designated locations where lifeguard services are operating. Entering the water as part of a group is also preferable.” — Public safety appeal (local media)
