Family Criticizes Israeli Foreign Ministry Over Handling of Tourist Death in Norway

The family of Yoad Idan, a 26-year-old Israeli from Pisgat Zeev who died in a kayaking accident in Norway, has launched sharp criticism against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli embassy in Oslo for their handling of the tragedy.

According to his sister Adia, the family had to navigate the crisis largely on their own. Yoad died late last month during a vacation with a friend when their kayak capsized due to unstable weather conditions. While the injured friend was airlifted to a hospital in Bergen, the family claims they received no proactive notification from the embassy and had to call multiple hospitals themselves to locate him.

"We had to obtain information on our own, contact the authorities in Norway, and find solutions through private actors," Adia told ynet. She noted that the family was the one to inform the consul, Kati Nachshon, of his death, only to be told that the information was unverified. The family also criticized the lack of guidance regarding local police procedures, legal assistance, and the repatriation process, noting that his passport was left behind in Norway due to erroneous instructions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by expressing deep condolences and defending its actions. The ministry stated that the embassy in Oslo and the Department for Israelis Abroad worked intensively from the moment the report was received, coordinating with Norwegian authorities, hospitals, and local volunteers to assist the family within the legal confines of foreign jurisdictions.