JERUSALEM – Israeli police on Friday arrested three youth leaders from an academy on charges of negligence after floods swept away 10 teenage hikers in the country’s southern desert region. The unseasonable flooding also claimed the lives of four others over the course of two days and prompted a dramatic rescue attempt involving search teams and helicopters. It is common for Israeli teenagers to take a gap year following the completion of high school before they start their compulsory military service in order to further their studies. On Thursday, Israeli television stations canceled scheduled broadcasts to provide live coverage of the dramatic rescue operation, which included the use of five military helicopters and search and rescue teams from a special unit. The search continued until nightfall and resumed Friday morning when a final girl was found.

Source: National Post April 27, 2018 14:15 UTC