Last update - 00:00 25/02/2008
American tourist drowns in flash flood near Dead Sea
By Mijal Grinberg and the Associated Press
A 30-year-old American tourist drowned Monday in a flash flood while hiking in Nahal David near the Dead Sea, police said.
His wife found shelter in a cave and was later rescued by police.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the body of the man, who was in his
mid-30s, washed up in the Ein Gedi nature reserve.
Rosenfeld said the dead man's name and other details were not immediately
available. The U.S. Embassy spokesman could not be reached for comment.
The Dead Sea, the world's lowest point at about 430 meters (1,400 feet) below sea level, is surrounded by desert and generally arid cliffs. At certain times of the year, however, rain falling in hills miles (kilometers) away can come rushing down the steep descents, causing sudden and violent torrents in otherwise dry spots.