Dead Sea Swimmers Highlight Environmental Damage

A team of environmental activists crossed the Dead Sea on Tuesday, swimming from the Jordanian to the Israeli shore, to highlight the ecological threats facing the salt lake.

The 28 swimmers braved water that is around 10 times saltier than sea water and can be fatal if drunk. The swimmers, who wore snorkels and face masks, completed the 9 mile-swim in around seven hours. EcoPeace Middle East organized the event to draw attention to the impact of Israeli and Jordanian agriculture and industry on the Dead Sea, where water levels have fallen by around 80 feet in the last 30 years, according to Reuters</a>.

This drone video captures an aerial view of the historic swim. Credit: YouTube/Stuart Thompson via Storyful