Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) agents joined Israel Police officers in searching for four-year-old Yuval Kogan, who went missing after last being seen on Hofit Beach, Ashkelon, on Thursday morning.
Kogan was last seen near the beach wearing a green shirt. He is described as having a slim build and brown hair. He was with his father on a trip in the area. At some point, the two parted ways, and when the father tried to bring him back to him, he noticed his absence and notified the police.
“Almost 24 hours have passed since my son was lost. I beg anyone who can come help, any possible rescuers, I’m asking everyone to come,” Kogan’s mother, Dina, told Walla on Friday. “I’m worried. I’m afraid it could be a kidnapping.”
Hundreds of police officers and volunteers have been searching for Kogan. The search is continuing into the night by air, sea and land, with technological resources and rescue teams deployed in an effort to find him.
After the report of his disappearance was received, police dispatched helicopters, the Marine Police Unit, divers, the municipal rescue unit and additional emergency responders to the scene. Search efforts are focused along the shoreline and the surrounding areas.
Authorities are searching from the northern coast of the city of Ashkelon to the settlement of Nitzanim. This is a sandy area with many dunes, both high and low, as well as many hiding places where the child may be found. As the hours pass, concerns about Kogan’s fate grow.
United Hatzalah’s Drone Unit deployed a specialized command center and a fleet of drones to aid in the search, the emergency service confirmed. Volunteers also searched the area on foot, United Hatzalah added.
Head of the Southern District Police, Assistant-Chief Chaim Bublil, held a situational assessment at the scene with senior police officers and rescue officials. Following the assessment, Bublil instructed commanders to expand the search operation into the nighttime hours and to employ all resources available to Israel Police until the child is located.
Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Galam also arrived at the scene, saying that municipal inspection and policing teams were working alongside Israel Police in the search effort.
Israel Police call on public to remain vigilant, call with any information
Police urged the public to remain vigilant and asked anyone with information that could help locate the child to contact the Israel Police emergency hotline by dialing 100 or the Ashkelon Police Station immediately.
Israel Police reiterated its appeal to the public, asking anyone with information regarding the child’s whereabouts, or any information that could assist in locating him, to call the Israel Police emergency hotline at 100 or the Ashkelon Police Station at 08-6771440.
Israel Police routinely launch large-scale multi-agency search operations when children are reported missing, bringing together police units, aerial support, marine teams, rescue organizations and local authorities to maximize the chances of locating missing persons as quickly as possible.
