Maritime forces from Israel, Greece, and Cyprus are continuing to search for the lost Israeli yacht that left Ashdod for Cyprus on Sunday, the Foreign Ministry stated on Wednesday.
"The Foreign Ministry’s Department for Israelis Abroad, along with Israel’s embassies in Cyprus and Greece, are in contact with the families and are working around the clock on the matter," the ministry confirmed.
Contact with the vessel was lost several days ago, shortly before it would have approached the island.
There were five people aboard the vessel, and their current condition remains unknown.
The vessel’s disappearance comes as Israel faces Storm Byron, which traveled in from Cyprus and has battered the country with heavy rain and winds.
Israel’s Shipping Authority is working to understand why the vessel was allowed to set sail despite the incoming storm.
Israel to face storm Byron
Storm Byron is set to hit its peak in Israel between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, with 100-150 mm. of rain expected to fall, according to the Israel Meteorological Service.
Winds from the storm are expected to reach 80 km. per hour.
Shir Perets contributed to this report.