Civil Defense first responders search for the bodies of two missing men at the beach, May 25, 2024. (Credit: NNA)
Civil Defense first responders have recovered the bodies of two men who had been reported missing off Kfar Abida beach in Batroun, North Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency reported Saturday morning.
The men, named Yahya Ahmad Abous, a native of Tripoli and resident of the Abi Samra area, and Walid Yaacoub Sarkis, from the town of Kfar Hata in the Koura district, in north Lebanon, had been missing since Friday night.
At 2 a.m. Saturday morning, first responders from the Civil Defense's Marine Rescue Unit began search operations for the missing men under difficult weather conditions due to high waves and strong water currents. The two men's personal belongings and identification papers were found inside a bag on the beach, and Sarkis' car was found parked along the highway in the area.
On Friday, the General Directorate of Civil Defense had issued a statement warning citizens, residents and tourists to stay away from the Kfar Abida beach due to the effects of a low-pressure weather system that had the potential to create conditions that increase drowning risks.
At least 10 people have been reported drowned off Lebanon's coast since April 8.