Latest news with #Russian-Israeli
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Chilling video shows diver's last moments 300-feet below water after ignoring warnings
Yuri Lipski, a Russian-Israeli diver, died after he ignored warnings and dived solo into the Blue Hole in the Red Sea, Egypt. His body was found nearly 300 feet underwater A harrowing clip captures the dreadful last moments of a diver's life before he met with a tragic fate at a dangerous diving location after disregarding safety advice. On 28 April 2000, Russian-Israeli scuba diver Yuri Lipski descended into the infamous Blue Hole situated in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt and tragically failed to return. It is believed that nearly 91 metres below the surface, Lipski suffered the fatal effects of nitrogen narcosis, caused by the high pressures at such depths, which can manifest in disorientation, illusions, euphoria, and poor decision-making. Yet, following the calamitous event, Lipski's helmet camera was retrieved, providing a bone-chilling perspective on his last moments, according to a report by the Daily Star. The camera footage unveils the stony seabed while Lipski's breathing creates an eerie soundtrack. Lipski had hoped to record the iconic arch within the Blue Hole, a detail confirmed by Tarek Omar, a seasoned technical diver who encountered Lipski in Egypt prior to his ill-fated dive, reports the Mirror US. Despite Omar's warnings and recommendations for significant preparatory training, earnestly stating "I said 'OK, so you'll need two weeks' training with me first, and then we'll film'," as recounted to The Guardian, Lipski refused due to time constraints and proceeded with the hazardous solo dive. His remains were recovered the morning after his dive. The site of the incident, the Blue Hole, whilst being a magnet for diving enthusiasts, has a grim reputation, attributed to the deaths of possibly as many as 200 individuals. "Recovering bodies is a case-by-case thing; I do it pro bono," Omar revealed to Scene Arabia. "It is a very critical and difficult thing to do – it requires more than just being a technical diver, it takes more than experience. It is very hard because you dive deep and you stay down to locate the remains." The notorious Blue Hole has claimed up to an estimated 200 lives, making it an infamous spot for diving enthusiasts. This underwater chasm, a submarine sinkhole, plunges to about 100 metres at its deepest point and boasts two channels into the ocean, presenting a thrilling yet treacherous challenge for daring divers from across the world. Yet for Omar, this perilous place is as familiar as his own home. "I know it like my kitchen," he confided to Cairo Scene, recalling his initial foray among numerous "missions" undertaken in nearly two decades exploring the Blue Hole. Notably, one of his expeditions etched his name in the record books with a remarkable 209-metre dive.
Irish Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Diver's horrifying death after ignoring warnings and filming final moments
A harrowing clip has captured a diver's final moments before his tragic death at a notorious diving spot after ignoring warnings about the perilous nature of his actions. On April 28, 2000, Russian-Israeli diver Yuri Lipski took the plunge into the infamous Blue Hole in the Red Sea off Egypt and tragically never emerged again. It is believed that Lipski succumbed to the effects of nitrogen narcosis nearly 300 feet below the surface, where the intense pressure likely caused him to experience euphoria, confusion, hallucinations, and poor decision-making. In a grim twist, Lipski's helmet camera was found intact, providing a haunting glimpse into his last moments, as reported by the Daily Star. The recovered footage eerily displays the ocean floor while the sound of Lipski's breathing resonates ominously. Lipski had hoped to film the renowned arch of the Blue Hole, according to Tarek Omar, a technical diver who had met Lipski in Egypt prior to his ill-fated dive, reports the Mirror US. Omar, known as 'The Elder Diver', had warned against the risky solo dive without proper training. "I said 'OK, so you'll need two weeks' training with me first, and then we'll film'," Omar recounted to The Guardian. However, constrained by time, Lipski turned down the offer for training and went ahead with the dive alone. His body was discovered the following morning. The Blue Hole, a submarine sinkhole that attracts divers from around the world, is infamous for its treacherous conditions, with some estimates suggesting that as many as 200 people may have lost their lives there. "Recovering bodies is a case-by-case thing; I do it pro bono," Omar told Scene Arabia. "It is a very critical and difficult thing to do – it requires more than just being a technical diver, it takes more than experience. It is very hard because you dive deep and you stay down to locate the remains." With around 200 fatalities recorded, The Blue Hole remains an infamous yet beguiling destination for scuba enthusiasts globally. This submarine sinkhole, which plummets to approximately 100 metres at its deepest point and features two oceanic connections, presents dual allure and peril—a stone's throw from the shoreline. For Omar, this renowned diving haven has become second nature. "I know it like my kitchen," he disclosed to Cairo Scene, reminiscing over his initial journey into what would become numerous retrieval voyages. A veteran of nearly two decades exploring the depths of the Blue Hole, he once surfaced from the abyss with a title in hand subsequent to an astonishing 209-metre dive.
Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Chilling footage after diver ignored warnings and recorded his final moments
Yuri Lipski's body was recovered the next morning after he plunged to his death in the Blue Hole in the Red Sea, Egypt, and his helmet camera was found intact A harrowing clip shows the heart-stopping final moments of a diver at a deadly diving site, after he ignored cautions about his actions. On April 28, 2000, Russian-Israeli adventurer Yuri Lipski went down into the abyss of the Blue Hole in Egypt's Red Sea and vanished. Tragically, Lipski is believed to have died around 300 feet underwater, a depth where high pressure may have caused nitrogen narcosis – leading to a dangerous state of euphoria, bewilderment, hallucinations, and impaired judgment. Miraculously, Lipski's helmet camera was recovered, capturing a ghostly glimpse into his last breaths as reported by the Daily Star. The eerie film shows the ocean seabed rocks while Lipski's breathing reverberates in the background. He planned to record the famed arch of the Blue Hole, explained Tarek Omar, a seasoned diver who had met Lipski before the doomed expedition, reports the Mirror US. Omar, nicknamed 'The Elder Diver', initially discouraged the reckless unaccompanied mission, saying: "I said 'OK, so you'll need two weeks' training with me first, and then we'll film'," he told The Guardian. However, pressed for time with just a weekend free, Lipski turned down the essential training and dove alone. By the following morning, his remains were discovered. The Blue Hole, prized among divers but infamous for its perilous conditions, has seen up to an estimated 200 souls lost to its depths. "Recovering bodies is a case-by-case thing; I do it pro bono," Omar revealed to Scene Arabia. "It is a very critical and difficult thing to do – it requires more than just being a technical diver, it takes more than experience. It is very hard because you dive deep and you stay down to locate the remains." The Blue Hole, notorious as a diving hotspot, is believed to have claimed up to 200 lives. This submarine sinkhole, favoured by scuba enthusiasts, plummets swiftly to about 100 metres at its deepest with dual openings to the sea, posing a tempting yet perilous challenge for adventurers worldwide. Yet for Omar, this daunting location is as familiar as home. "I know it like my kitchen," he told Cairo Scene. Recalling his initial sortie of countless "missions" Omar's two-decade tenure at the Blue Hole has even seen him emerge with accolades, notably an impressive record-breaking 209-metre dive.
Nahar Net
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Iraq says Israel ready to free Hezbollah captives as part of Tsurkov deal
by Naharnet Newsdesk 29 May 2025, 12:54 An Iraqi official speaking on condition of anonymity has told The Associated Press that the U.S. and Israel are not opposed to the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel as part of a deal for the release of Russian-Israeli researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who is held in Iraq by the Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah group. The 38-year-old Middle East researcher was kidnapped in 2023 while doing research in Iraq, and officials from several countries say progress is being made to secure her release. Tsurkov marks 800 days in captivity on Thursday. There were reports over the weekend that negotiators were very close to a deal, but the terms are complicated and Tsurkov's sister said no deal appears imminent. Negotiators are focusing on an exchange that would include seven Lebanese captured during the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah. But Iraqi and Lebanese officials told The Associated Press the talks recently stalled over Iran's demand for the release of one of its citizens detained in Iraq for the killing of an American. Elizabeth Tsurkov disappeared in Baghdad in March 2023 while doing research for her doctorate at Princeton University. The only direct sign of life her family has received is a November 2023 video of her broadcast on an Iraqi television station and circulated on pro-Iranian social media. In the past few months, officials from several countries, including the Iraqi foreign minister and deputy prime minister, have confirmed she is alive and being held in Iraq by a Shiite Muslim militant group called Kataeb Hezbollah, according to her sister. The group has not claimed the kidnapping nor have Iraqi officials publicly said which group is responsible. Moving pieces from Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the U.S., Emma Tsurkov, who lives in California, believes the U.S., Israel's closest ally, has the most leverage to pressure the Iraqi government for her sister's release – either by withholding arms or financial assistance. Israel, which does not negotiate directly with Iraq because the two countries have no formal relations, has less influence, she said. Although Tsurkov entered Iraq using her Russian passport, Russia has declined to get involved in negotiating for her release, Emma Tsurkov said. Earlier this year, a senior Israeli official said the Israeli government is working with allies in a renewed push to win the freedom of Tsurkov. Israeli officials declined to comment for this AP story. About a month ago, a U.S. official and several former diplomats visited Baghdad to mediate for Tsurkov's release, according to a senior Iraqi political official involved in the negotiations. They held indirect talks with Iranian officials and leaders from the militant group holding her, according to this official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the secretive talks. Adam Boehler, the Trump administration's top hostage envoy, has repeatedly called for Tsurkov's release and has traveled to Iraq to press his case. "We have and will continue to underscore with the Iraqi government the urgency of securing her release," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said Tuesday. An official with a Lebanese group involved in the indirect negotiations said that, in exchange for Tsurkov's freedom, they are seeking the release of seven Lebanese prisoners, some of whom are associated with Hezbollah and a Lebanese navy officer who was kidnapped by an Israeli commando force on Lebanon's northern coast in early November. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. Also involved in a possible exchange are five men in prison in Iraq for the 2022 fatal shooting of Stephen Edward Troell, a 45-year-old teacher from Tennessee. Troell was killed as he pulled up to the street where he lived in central Baghdad with his family. Iranian citizen Mohammed Ali Ridha was convicted in the killing, along with four Iraqis, in what was described as a kidnapping gone wrong. The prospect of Ridha's release is one of the major holdups in the negotiations, Lebanese and Iraqi officials said. Elizabeth Tsurkov is a well-known academic who was often interviewed in the media, and her research was focused on sectarianism in the Middle East, specifically Iraq.
New York Post
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- New York Post
Four crew members injured as Robert Shwartzman in wild Indy 500 crash
The Indianapolis 500 had its fair share of dramatics, but none were quite as shocking as Robert Shwartzman's scary crash. The rookie Russian-Israeli driver came into the race with high hopes after his qualifying time earned him the pole position last week. 4 Robert Shwartzman's Indy 500 ended early after he crashed in the pit lane. Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images But while pulling into his stall 87 laps in, Shwartzman lost control of his car and went sliding into four of his pit crew members. 'Honestly, it felt really strange — my brakes — already when I was going slow coming in the pit lane. I locked both front tires, which usually is not the case,' Shwartzman later said. 'I wasn't sure if it was the brakes or because the tires were cold … I tried to be very slow. But as soon as I touched my brakes, my whole front just locks and I just went right into the guys.' Shwartzman's red, green and white car became fully out of his control. 'It was really scary,' Shwartzman said. 'At the moment I braked, I was just a passenger.' The wreck ended Shwartzman's chances of finishing the Indy 500. One of the crew members who was struck by Shwartzman's car had to be taken away in a stretcher. 4 Robert Shwartzman strikes his crew members with his car after a presumed brake issue. Getty Images 4 A member of Robert Shwartman's crew had to be stretchered away following the crash. Bob Goshert-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images While the crew member's injuries are unclear at this time, Shwartzman seemed relieved at the outcome of what could have been a tragic accident. 'Luckily nobody got really, hardly injured, I think there is only one guy who had a bit of an injury,' the driver said. 'I'm happy that everybody is fine.' Shwartzman had made headlines with his performance ahead of the Indy 500, as the Prema Racing driver became the first rookie to take the pole position since 1983. Shwartzman wasn't alone in dramatic bow-outs, as fellow drivers Alexander Rossi and Rinus Veekay also had car problems that forced them out of the race. 4 Robert Shwartzman held the pole position to begin the Indy 500. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Scott McLaughlin, who many had high hopes for in the race, also fizzled out as he crashed in the pace lap before the green flag had even waved. 'It's just really sad,' Shwartzman said. 'We did such good work in qualifying. But it's the Indy 500, anything can happen. A lot of strong drivers are out of the race or behind. This is what happens, this is Indy.' Spaniard Alex Palou took home the checkered flag for his first Indianapolis 500.
