Five Israeli members of the Breslav Hassidic sect were killed in a car crash near Ouarzazate, Morocco, on Friday when their vehicle lost control and overturned in the desert.
The Foreign Ministry confirmed the fatalities and said its representatives in Rabat were coordinating with Moroccan authorities on the aftermath of the accident.
The victims were part of a group from a Safed-based branch of the sect traveling through Morocco to visit tombs of Jewish sages and other holy sites. Concerns were raised when the men failed to arrive at a designated meeting point, prompting others in the group to organize a search with the help of local police. Hours later, their overturned car was discovered, with all passengers found deceased.
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Local officials said arrangements were underway to transport the bodies to Casablanca for identification before being flown to Israel for burial.
"We are working closely with Moroccan authorities to expedite their return to Israel," said ZAKA CEO Haim Weingarten.
Safed Mayor Yossi Kakon confirmed the victims were residents of his city but asked that their identities be withheld until their families were notified.