Man attacked by shark off Israeli coast after bathers seen playing with animal

Sandbar sharks swim next to a person snorkelling in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Hadera, Israel - (AP)

Israeli police have been searching the waters off the country's Mediterranean coast for a swimmer who they fear may have been attacked by a shark.

In recent years, the area has seen close encounters between a shiever of endangered dusky and sandbar sharks that have been swimming close to the area and beachgoers who sometimes seek them out.