29-Year-Old Woman Dies in Suspected Drowning at Albania's Porto Novo Beach

A 29-year-old Albanian woman has died after a suspected drowning at Porto Novo Beach near Zvërnec, in the coastal city of Vlorë, on Friday afternoon, authorities said.

According to preliminary information, the victim is believed to have been caught in strong sea currents, which have long made the Porto Novo area one of the most hazardous stretches of Albania's coastline.

After being recovered from the water, the woman's body was transported by inflatable boat to Triport before being transferred to the morgue at Vlorë Regional Hospital.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are interviewing local residents and beachgoers as they work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

In an official preliminary statement, Vlorë Police said they received a report of the incident at approximately 4:30 p.m. The victim, identified by the initials A. Xh., was a 29-year-old resident of Shkodër.

Police officers responded immediately to the scene, while investigators continue gathering evidence to fully document and clarify the circumstances of the suspected drowning.

Authorities have not released further details, and the investigation remains ongoing.