Albanian ship captain drowns rescuing two Israeli tourists in Lake Shkodra

Albanian captain Arben Anamali drowned in Lake Shkodra this week after jumping into the water to rescue two Israeli tourists from the lake’s strong currents, local media has reported.

Anamali, captain of the tourist boat “Buna” operating from the northern Albanian city of Shkodra, was sailing a vessel carrying seven Israeli tourists earlier this week when two of them jumped into the water despite the captain’s warnings of the dangerous current.

When the two swimmers began to struggle, Anamali reportedly threw life vests, including his own, to help them, then jumped into the water to help bring them closer to the boat. He succeeded in bringing the passengers back aboard the ship but vanished beneath the water before he was able to climb aboard himself.

Lake Shkodra, on the border between Albania and Montenegro, is a popular tourist destination for travellers in the region. (Photo: Visit Albania)[Missing Credit]

Rescue teams recovered Anamali’s body two days later. Authorities believe he suffered cardiac arrest from the extreme physical exertion of the rescue, and his body has been transferred to a local Shkodra hospital for examination.