Mitzpe Ramon
צילום: יריב נח
Spanish tourist missing in Negev
Local rescue team looking for man lost en route Mitzpe Ramon to Mt. Karkom, near Egyptian border
A search and rescue team from the Negev region was called up Thursday afternoon to look for a Spanish tourist, in his twenties, who went missing en route from Mitzpe Ramon to Mt. Karkom, near Israel's border with Egypt.
The tourist had arranged to meet with a Bedouin guide on Wednesday, but failed to show. The guide contacted the Har Hanegev search and rescue team on Thursday to report the man missing. His delay in reporting the man's absence is unclear.
The team set out for an initial search during daylight hours, and will resume its efforts in the early morning hours on Friday, aided by a police helicopter. Dimona police forces and local volunteers are also expected to take part in efforts to locate the Spaniard.
Rami Musli, commander of the Har Hanegev search and rescue team, said it was important for many people to volunteer to help search for the missing man, because the search area is very large and must be combed in the shortest possible time.
"We'll be glad to receive assistance from travelers with jeeps," he said.
Much of the area near Mt. Karkom, where the tourist disappeared, is used as an open firing range. There are also a number of unexploded bomblets at the foot of the mountain.
