The reason for distress in Durja: Family members did not know how to swim

Again: Haredi families caught tonight (Monday), after- dark in Dargot River in the Judean Desert. As it turns out travelers did not know how to swim and unable to leave the channel on deep water.

A group of 31 families from Bnei Brak took a river trip out this morning in the northern Judean Desert, but failed to get out before the coming of darkness.

The bus driver who drove them, waited for them in vain, and then gave up and contacted the Megillot extraction unit, and a team member connected to them equipped with floaters.

As it turns out the group members do not know how to swim and they could not get out of the water although a number of travelers managed to get out on their own.

Nitai Reich, one of the rescue unit said to Behadrey Haredim that he estimates will take a few hours until the whole group is rescued.

Among touring professionals within the Haredi community there is great resentment about the lack of responsibility shown repeatedly by travelers in the area, who do without adequate preparation and safety procedures in contempt.

"It has become a tradition here," said tour guide Joshua Lavie, "every few days an additional yeshiva student is caught here. Too many haredi travelers find themselves in distress, in the end it could end in a terrible tragedy. There is a limit how much you can take advantage of the good nature of the rescue crew."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!