Paraglider drifts toward nuclear facility
Drama unfolds as paraglider swept toward nuclear research facility in Dimona; fighter jets, large security forces dispatched to area for fear of terror attack
Drama in Dimona: Fighter jets were called in on Monday afternoon after a paraglider hovered over the Negev area between the towns of Yeruham and Dimona and drifted toward the nuclear research facility in Dimona.
Police forces who were dispatched to the area guided the glider to a safe landing. The man was taken in for interrogation and later released, an official said.
An initial investigation revealed that the glider was swept by the wind directly over the nuclear research facility in Dimona. Police were dispatched and the glider landed near the soccer stadium Yeruham.
'Every decision could prove to be crucial'
After it was evident that the glider was headed toward the nuclear facility, two fighter planes were called to the area and instructed the glider to land immediately. The area near the nuclear research facility is restricted for any air traffic.
"It is an incident that takes only a few seconds, so every decision could prove to be crucial," said an IDF official.
"We encounter many incidents in which Israeli aircraft or gliders stray from the permitted air space.Occasionally it is negligence that causes us to spend resources and engage in military action. We're not clear on the reasons for this particular case, but it will be investigated," said the official.
Last November another Adam Wexler had to be rescued after he mistakenly crossed the border between Israel and Lebanon with his paraglider. IDF forces in the region went on high alert level and managed the rescue the man.
"If it were not for the IDF rescue I would have had to stay there,” Wexler said at the time. “I wouldn't be alive.”
Hanan Greenberg contributed to the story
