A potentially dangerous situation ended safely Tuesday night after a mother and her eight children, who had lost contact with their family during a hike in the Gush Etzion region, were located unharmed following an extensive search.

The family, from Beitar Illit, had set out earlier in the day for an outing near the community of Tekoa in eastern Gush Etzion. According to police, concern grew after several hours passed without any communication from the group and nightfall arrived. Family members eventually contacted Israel Police, fearing they had become lost.

In response, volunteers from the Etzion-Yehuda Police Rescue Unit, together with the security department of the Gush Etzion Regional Council, launched a wide-ranging search of the area.

The missing group consisted of a mother and her eight children, ranging in age from 3 to 18.

During the search, one of the rescue unit’s volunteers spotted the family after they safely arrived in the nearby community of Nokdim. The mother and all eight children were found in good health, bringing the anxious search to a successful conclusion.

Following the incident, Israel Police renewed their annual bein hazemanim safety message, urging families heading out on hikes to prepare carefully before entering the outdoors. Police advised hikers to familiarize themselves with their route, choose trails appropriate for the group’s abilities, carry an adequate supply of water, inform relatives of their plans, and schedule hikes so they conclude before nightfall.

{Matzav.com}