A tragic incident occurred today in the heart of the Albanian Alps, where a Dutch tourist lost his life while hiking alone in the Valbona National Park. The man reportedly slipped from a steep rocky height and fell into a deep ravine during his individual exploration of one of the rugged mountain peaks.
Official Confirmation
The president of the Albanian Federation of Mountaineering and Mountain Tourism, Artur Guni, confirmed the incident and issued an official statement:
“It is a sad day for our entire community. The loss of a foreign tourist’s life in Valbona is a tragedy that deeply affects us. Despite immediate efforts from rescue teams in Albania and Kosovo, we were unable to save him. Late this Tuesday, ground and air forces continue working under extremely difficult conditions to recover the body from the ravine. We strongly appeal for greater caution from all visitors exploring the mountain areas. Our alpine terrain is breathtaking, but it also demands preparation, information, and strong safety measures.”
Rescue Efforts
Following the emergency call, units from Albania’s National Emergency Service, air force teams, and specialized mountain rescue groups from both Albania and Kosovo were mobilized. Their cooperation on the ground and in the air was crucial in conducting the search and recovery operation in one of the most inaccessible parts of the Albanian Alps.
Preliminary Findings
According to initial reports, the victim had been hiking alone when he apparently lost footing, resulting in a fatal fall. The area where the accident occurred is described as extremely difficult to access, complicating rescue operations.
Call for Caution
The Albanian Federation of Mountaineering and Mountain Tourism extended its deepest condolences to the victim’s family and stressed the importance of adhering to safety protocols when exploring alpine regions.
“Our mountains are majestic, but they require responsibility, preparation, and respect for safety rules to prevent future tragedies,” the statement read.
Investigations into the full circumstances of the incident are ongoing.