Israeli father of four Sagi Mor Found Dead in Thailand Shore After Heroic Rescuing of His Son

A tragic end to the search in Koh Phangan, Thailand this morning, as the body of Sagi Mor, 45, from the Golan Heights, was found after he disappeared while rescuing his son from the stormy sea on Wednesday. Mor jumped into the water at the eastern bay of Chaloklum after noticing his son being pulled out by strong currents.

According to witnesses, Mor managed to bring the boy close enough to shore for restaurant owners to pull him to safety. Moments later, a powerful wave dragged the father back into the open water. His wife and children watched from the beach as he vanished, with locals reporting hearing him call out to his wife to try to reach nearby rocks before the wave overtook him.

The incident sparked an urgent, wide-ranging rescue effort. Volunteers from the local Israeli community, Israeli tourists visiting the island, and residents from around the area immediately spread out along the coastline and into the water. The conditions were severe with strong winds and high waves which prevented drone use for many hours and repeatedly halted searches at night. By 1:30 AM the overnight search had to be suspended due to dangerous sea conditions, and at dawn significant delays continued.

Despite the obstacles, around 160 volunteers mobilized. Israelis circulated calls in WhatsApp groups asking for anyone with jet skis, diving equipment, or search lights to join. Jet skis and private boats searched the shoreline, while makeshift teams were organized into search rotations. A temporary command center was set up alongside Thai police.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it remained in close contact with the family throughout the night. A rescue delegation from Israel’s Magen Search and Rescue organization flew out urgently, accompanied by members of Mor’s family, to support and assist in identifying search zones with the local authorities. Social workers and psychologists from the island’s Israeli community stayed with Mor’s wife and their children, providing emotional support from the moment he went missing.

Chabad’s emissary in Koh Phangan, Rabbi Dovi Deutsch, said the entire island community rallied to help. “At the moment the Israeli community here has mobilized for the searches, and locals are helping as well,” he said. “The local police brought equipment to go into the water and search, private individuals also arrived with gear, and there is an effort to organize volunteers into shifts to reach the father and locate him.”

This morning the difficult news arrived that Sagi’s body was found after nearly 20 hours of searching. His wife, Inbal Mor, expressed the family’s gratitude. “In these painful hours I want to thank, with all my heart, the good people who mobilized to save Sagi… We are now gathering as a family to face the painful news and strengthen one another.”