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Flash floods kill nine Israeli teenagers during a pre-army hike

One hiker remained missing, and 15 were rescued after heavy rains. The victims were all 18 years old.

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Israeli rescue services operate near the site where a group of Israeli youths was swept away by a flash flood, near the Zafit riverbed, south of the Dead Sea, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Flash floods killed nine Israeli teenagers who were hiking south of the Dead Sea on Thursday, Israel’s rescue service said.

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The victims were all 18 years old. Israeli media said eight of the fatalities were female and one was male. Police said another hiker was missing.

Earlier, spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said 25 students in a pre-army course were “caught off guard” and some were “washed away” by heavy rains while they were hiking.

Rosenfeld said 15 hikers were rescued.

An Israeli rescue services helicopter operates near the site where a group of Israeli hikers was swept away by a flash flood, near the Zafit riverbed, south of the Dead Sea, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
An Israeli rescue services helicopter operates near the site where a group of Israeli hikers was swept away by a flash flood, near the Zafit riverbed, south of the Dead Sea, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
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The deaths were viewed as a national tragedy in Israel.

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