Three Israeli army officers froze to death Thursday night in a Sinai snow storm at the Santa Katerina monastery in southern Sinai. One woman soldier was severely stricken by the frost. The three who died were identified as: Maj Meir Sela and Captains Mordechai Puznik and Chaim Duweik.
According to an army spokesman the officers were part of a command team that intended to visit an Israeli army unit in the Santa Katerina region which was in difficulties because of the weather. Six officers and two women soldiers travelled in two jeeps from Sharm el Sheikh to Santa Katerina. Their trip was difficult because of the snow and the icy winds. The jeeps became stuck in heavy snow a few miles from their destination. The commander decided to make the rest of the way on foot after notifying headquarters of their plight by radio. Rescue teams and a helicopter were sent out but were forced back due to the weather conditions.
A woman soldier and the education officer were the first to collapse. The others decided to continue in an attempt to reach the unit and send help to the two that were left behind. Two more officers collapsed. By morning, helicopters discovered the woman soldier and the education officer; and two hours later the other two officers were spotted and taken by the helicopter. The three officers were dead when they were brought to a hospital. The woman soldier was in critical condition. A committee has been set up to investigate the tragedy.
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