A diver is missing and feared dead after being mauled by a shark in Israel.
Footage posted on social media show a diver flailing in the water off the coast of Hadera on Monday, with other footage showing a shark swimming by people up to their waists in the sea.
Beach-goers, including children, were seen screaming and running back to shore as the shark swam around them just moments before attacking the diver.
Horror video of the incident showed the diver further out at sea thrashing around as the water around them slowly turned red.
The Hadera Municipality Coastal Department said it was ‘conducting searches by jet ski to locate the diver and will continue to update as developments occur.
‘We urge the public traveling in the area to avoid entering the water and contact with the sharks,’ it added.
A call was received by Magen David Adom’s 101 dispatch center in the Sharon region at around 3:02pm to an incident at Olga Beach.
Police and rescue workers have been deployed to the scene, with the police saying in a statement that no casualties had yet been located.
A shark was seen swimming close to the shore at Olga Beach, Israel, before a diver was mauled by the predator
The Hadera Municipality Coastal Department said it was ‘conducting searches by jet ski to locate the diver and will continue to update as developments occur
Israel Police said: ‘A short time ago, officers from the Hadera Police Station and the Maritime Police were dispatched to the Hadera stream following reports from citizens who claimed they saw a shark attacking a diver in the water.
‘Forces are en route, but no casualties have been located so far.’
Footage uploaded to social media has also shown helicopters scanning the waters for the missing diver.
Following the incident, the police have closed the beach to swimmers until further notice.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.