Tel Aviv Image by iStock

JERUSALEM (JTA) — A University of Kentucky sophomore was missing in Israel after a late night swim in the Mediterranean Sea.

TeNiya Jones, a biology major with a minor in Islamic studies, was on a weekend visit to Israel from Jordan, where she was enrolled in a seven-week exchange program. She was due to return home to Fort Myers, Florida, in a week.

Jones, 19, went out for the swim with two other exchange students on Saturday night. According to one of the students, a strong current pulled the three of them out deeper to sea while they were swimming. Two of the students were able to swim back to shore, but Jones did not make it back, according to a statement issued by the University of Kentucky.

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This is a communication regarding an accident involving one of our students who was abroad in the Middle East. Our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family, friends & our other students traveling; we will keep you informed as this fluid situation continues to unfold. pic.twitter.com/7kRVTkAroh

— University of Kentucky (@universityofky) July 29, 2018

“Our thoughts and prayers are with TeNiya, her family and the students and others impacted,” the statement issued Sunday morning said.

Israel launched a search and rescue operation to find Jones, and officials from the U.S. Embassy have been involved in the process, according to the university.

Hadashot news reported Monday that the body of a young woman who was missing for several days was pulled up near the Carlton beach in Tel Aviv in the morning hours. The report did not name the missing woman.

Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher

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