Oct 10, 2024 – Albania’s tourist season has witnessed a troubling increase in incidents involving stranded foreign tourists in mountainous regions, river canyons, and coastal areas. From June to September, the Albanian police reported 80 rescue operations aimed at assisting these individuals, underscoring significant safety concerns for visitors.
One tragic incident occurred on Mount Jezerce in the Albanian Alps, where a 32-year-old Bulgarian tourist lost his life after allegedly slipping on steep terrain. The police indicated that July was particularly perilous, with 22 incidents reported in mountainous and aquatic areas, resulting in assistance for 55 tourists.
Many of these tourists faced disorientation and became isolated due to the challenging landscapes. Others encountered life-threatening situations at sea, often due to vessel malfunctions and strong waves. In numerous cases, medical assistance was required for tourists suffering from physical injuries or dehydration after being stranded for days without food or water.
In September, Albania’s Mountain Search and Rescue Service conducted multiple operations to locate two missing foreign tourists, one from Lithuania and another from Belgium. Despite their efforts, search teams have found no trace of the individuals in the Valbona mountainous region.
Notably, this year, there were no reported criminal incidents targeting foreign tourists in Albania. However, road accidents during the tourist season have resulted in casualties, including foreign nationals.
Experts from the Agency of Protected Areas, which oversees several national parks, attribute many incidents to tourists not hiring local guides when navigating unfamiliar and potentially hazardous routes, especially in the Albanian Alps.
In response to the challenges posed by difficult terrain, the Albanian Ministry of Defense announced that 12 members of the Civil Defense Search and Rescue Company completed advanced mountain training in Kosovo this year. From January to September, the National Search and Rescue Center coordinated five operations, rescuing 24 tourists, 14 of whom were foreigners.
According to unofficial statistics, 16 foreign tourists lost their lives in Albania between January and September last year. This year’s incidents have raised alarms among local authorities, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures to protect the growing number of visitors.