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| Victor Vescovo, deep-sea explorer. |
While the mission was a triumph for human exploration, it also brought a stark reminder of environmental impact: even at the absolute bottom of the world, Vescovo discovered plastic waste, including what appeared to be a plastic bag and candy wrappers.
Why Was the Albanian Flag at the Bottom of the Ocean?
Eagle-eyed observers looking closely at the mission footage, the submersible, and the arm patch on Vescovo’s uniform noticed an unexpected sight. Side-by-side with the flags of the United States, Texas, and the United Nations was the distinct double-headed eagle of the Albanian flag.
Naturally, this sparked curiosity across the globe: What connection does Albania have to a deep-sea mission in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?
The answer was officially revealed on the website of the Five Deeps Expedition, sharing a beautiful sentiment about the gesture:
"Albania's 'Kuq e Zi' (Red and Black) is a tribute to the perseverance, tenacity, and extraordinary history of the great Albanian people—and to one Albanian woman in particular, who is the long-term partner of the expedition's sponsor and remains a strong supporter of the journey."
This unique tribute successfully carried Albania’s pride to the deepest known frontier on our planet, blending a historic scientific milestone with a deeply personal nod of appreciation.