The climber from Podujeva lost his life in Valbona, Kosovo Search and Rescue Service: Albania did not offer a helicopter

The climber from Podujeva tragically lost his life on Friday evening in the Valbona Valley, in the area known as "Dry Peak".

The Mountain Search and Rescue Service of Kosovo blamed the Albanian state for not providing a helicopter. ShKShMK says that the evacuation of the victim was delayed and that the evacuation of climbers stuck on the rocky face of the Thata peak lasted throughout the night.

Notification: 

On 26.07.2024 at around 17:00, ShKShMK received urgent calls for help from mountaineers with Kosovar citizenship, who were developing their activity in "Dry Peak" in the Valbona valley.

During the descent, one of the skiers accidentally slipped and fell into the abyss. The team leader managed to get close to the accident victim and gave him first aid, but it was unsuccessful.

Upon receiving the news, two teams were activated and began the codenamed "Dry Peak 1" operation. This operation has started in full coordination with the institutions of the Albanian state, the State Police and the ShKShMAL station in Valbona.

Initially, the nature of the accident and the location were identified based on the coordinates sent by the victim.
The operation was developed in two operational directions:

1) Evacuation of people from the rock face who were waiting for help.

2) Evacuation of the body of the accident victim (according to information from the scene, there were no signs of life).

Without wasting time, the institutions requested air support by helicopter, but the response was negative due to technical reasons.

Our rescuers, together with police officers and the Mountain Search and Rescue Service Team of Albania from Valbona, have set off in the direction of the accident site.

Taking into account the configuration of the terrain and the lack of air support, the evacuation of the mountaineers stuck on the rocky face of Thata peak lasted throughout the night. Meanwhile, the second team moved towards the victim, preparing his evacuation, technically up to the position where it was claimed that the promised helicopter would land.

Even after many calls and marathon communications, no state helicopter has been provided that would transport additional and rescue equipment for the operation, from the official communications there were constantly excuses of various natures. The entire delay in evacuating the victim was the cause of empty promises, not as if no access to the victim was reported, the rescuers reached the victim in record time.

Based on the complicated situation with many lack of clarity and bureaucratic obstacles, there is a need to contact the private company VIVA Helicopters, who in record time and very professionally carried out the transportation of rescuers together with equipment and finally the evacuation of the victim to the valley of Valbona, where relevant authorities were waiting.

During the 26-hour operation, counting the acceptance of the call until the return of the last rescuer, the SCShMK was in direct contact with the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in Albania, Mr. Skender Durmishi, who has continuously maintained contact and mobilized for diplomatic relations. and provided moral and institutional support for the ongoing operation.

We invite the institutions of the Albanian state to be more coordinated and efficient in such cases, so that such operations take place with few complications and efficiency. We express our sincere and deep condolences to the family. We thank all participants and all contributors to this difficult operation, may God reward you.