Braving the Dead Sea

Athletes and eco-activists swam across the Dead Sea on Tuesday, the first people to thrash their way over a body of water so salty that it poisons anyone who drinks it.

The swimmers crossed from Jordan to Israel to raise awareness of what they said was an environmental disaster that has shrunk the inland lake's surface by a third in 30 years.

A general view shows the shore of the Dead Sea as it is seen from off shore while environmental activists take part in "The Dead Sea Swim Challenge", swimming from the Jordanian to Israeli shore, to draw attention to the ecological threats facing the Dead Sea, in Kibbutz Ein Gedi, Israel November 15, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Nir Elias

They wore snorkels and face masks to stop the water - around 10 times saltier than the regular sea - from touching their eyes or entering their lungs during the seven-hour crawl.

Mineral deposits can be seen at the shore of the dead sea near Kibbutz Ein Gedi, Israel November 15, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Nir Elias

"This was unlike anything I've ever done," said Kim Chambers, 39, a renowned open-water swimmer from New Zealand.

An environmental activist takes part in "The Dead Sea Swim Challenge", swimming from the Jordanian to Israeli shore, to draw attention to the ecological threats facing the Dead Sea, in Kibbutz Ein Gedi, Israel November 15, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Nir Elias

The few drops of water that touched her eyes felt like acid she said. The crossing through water so salty and buoyant that it won't let you sink was challenging.

An environmental activist adjusts his mask while taking part in "The Dead Sea Swim Challenge", swimming from the Jordanian to Israeli shore, to draw attention to the ecological threats facing the Dead Sea, in Kibbutz Ein Gedi, Israel November 15, 2016. Photo: Reuters /Nir Elias

The sea which is mentioned in the Bible sits at the lowest point on Earth.

A man sits in a hot spring at the shore of the dead sea near Kibbutz Ein Gedi, Israel November 15, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Nir Elias

Environmental group EcoPeace Middle East, one of the organisers of the 15-km (9-mile) swim, said it had receded by about 25 metres (80 ft) over the past three decades alone.

An environmental activist washes her face while taking part in "The Dead Sea Swim Challenge", swimming from the Jordanian to Israeli shore, to draw attention to the ecological threats facing the Dead Sea, in Kibbutz Ein Gedi, Israel November 15, 2016. Photo: Reuters /Nir Elias

The group blames Israeli and Jordanian mining, creating evaporation ponds from which minerals are extracted, and the diversion by Israel, Jordan and Syria of Jordan River water that feeds into the lake.

EcoPeace Middle East, whose members include Israelis, Jordanians and Palestinians, said the event was aimed at highlighting the Dead Sea's plight and to urge government action to save the natural wonder, a popular tourist attraction.

"We see the life-threatening challenge of the swim as parallel to the challenges facing the Dead Sea," Gidon Bromberg, Israeli director of EcoPeace Middle East, said in a statement.

The Dead Sea, about 425 metres (1,400 feet) below sea level, is bordered by Israel, Jordan and the occupied West Bank.

Many visitors came for the therapeutic properties associated with its mineral-rich waters, and resort hotels have been built along the Israeli and Jordanian shores.