Two young people from Kosovo lose their lives in Shëngjin

Update, 18:20 - Two Kosovo citizens have lost their lives at Rana e Hedhun in Shëngjin, after being swept away by strong waves and sea currents. 

The Albanian Police Directorate of the Lezha region has announced that five young people from Kosovo had entered the sea, and after the reaction of citizens with Jet Skis and in cooperation with the Police, it became possible to extract them, who were taken to the Lezha Regional Hospital. 

The death of two of them was confirmed by the Emergency Department of the Lezha Regional Hospital, while three are receiving medical assistance.

"Around 16:30, the Police services received a notification that in the area of ​​Rana e Hedhun, in Shëngjin, several citizens who had entered the sea to bathe, as a result of the waves caused by the strong wind, were in difficulty and were at risk of drowning. Immediately after receiving the notification, the Border Police services, the services of the Lezha Local Police Directorate, as well as the emergency services, went to the given address. Thanks to the immediate reaction of citizens with Jet Skis, in cooperation with the Police services, it became possible to extract 5 citizens from Kosovo from the sea, who were urgently transported to the Lezha Regional Hospital for medical assistance. According to preliminary information from the Emergency Department of the Lezha Regional Hospital, 2 of the citizens have lost their lives, while the other 3 citizens are receiving medical assistance. The investigative group, under the leadership of the Prosecutor's Office, continues actions to fully clarify the "the circumstances of the event", the Lezha regional police announced, "Top Channel" reports. 

The President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, has also written about the case, expressing sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims. 

"With deep sorrow I learned about the tragic event that took the lives of two young people from Kosovo today in Shëngjin. In these difficult moments, I express my most sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims, while I wish a speedy recovery to their three friends. This tragedy reminds us of the importance of care and respect for every safety measure on our beaches," Begaj wrote on Facebook. 

He has invited central and local institutions, as well as tourist operators, to take all necessary measures to guarantee safety on beaches during the summer season. 

The acting president, Albulena Haxhiu, has also expressed condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to the three others who survived. 

"Our institutions are in constant and close contact with the authorities of the Republic of Albania, offering the necessary support. I express my most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and their relatives," she wrote.

Kosovo's acting Foreign Minister, Glauk Konjufca, also expressed condolences to the families of the victims. 

"We were deeply saddened by the tragic news about two of our fellow citizens from Kosovo who lost their lives this afternoon near Rana e Hedhun in Shëngjin. In these difficult moments, I express my most sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims, while we wish the injured a speedy recovery. May they rest in peace!" - wrote Konjufca on Facebook. 
 

Two young men from Kosovo are suspected of losing their lives in Shëngjin

Two people are suspected to have died and two are in serious condition after they were swept away by strong waves and sea currents on the coast of Shëngjin, "A2News CNN" and "Top Channel" report. "ABC News Albania" reports two dead and three others taken to hospital. 

According to these media outlets, the young people involved are from Kosovo. 

The young people had entered the sea, but due to strong waves they were swept away by the sea currents and encountered difficulty getting out of the water. 

There is still no official confirmation regarding the circumstances and condition of the other persons. 

The intervention of search and rescue forces and police is awaited to fully clarify the situation.