“After two hours of searching through the snow, a second avalanche suddenly struck, breaking off from the other side of Meçek Mountain and sweeping away everything in its path…” / The unknown side of the Fekeni tragedy, February 6, ’81.

Memorie.al / Years and decades will pass, but that grave event, which I witnessed firsthand, will never be forgotten…! On February 6, 1981, eleven of our comrades lost their lives in the line of duty: three officers and eight students from the “Enver Hoxha” United Officers School. Among them were: the commander of the first infantry battalion, Dushan Shameti from Dorëz, Tepelena; Çlirim Pulaj – planning chief from Tragjas, Vlora; Nikollaq Bero – tactics instructor from Berat; Besnik Shehu – combined arms student from Picar, Gjirokastra; Ilir Gramatiko – logistics student from Tirana; Bujar Ago – logistics student from Tirana; Aleko Gjoni – logistics student from Nivica, Saranda; Pëllumb Rrapo – logistics student from Berat; Qemal Lika – combined arms student from Tirana; Bilbil Pashaj – combined arms student from Kremenar, Mallakastër; and Nexhip Çoba – second-year student from Kavaja. Seriously maimed were Përparim Veliu, logistics student from Saranda, and Luan Muça, combined arms student from Peshkopi; additionally, 70 people were injured. 

At the time of this event, it was a brutal winter with rain and snow, and freezing temperatures that hindered the training tasks. However, thanks to the years of experience of the school command, its staff, and the training corps, as well as the high sense of responsibility and iron discipline of the students, high results were achieved in the combat readiness program, placing the “United School” at the top of the distinguished units across the army.

The Fekeni winter camp was situated at the foot of Mount Meçek, a sheltered spot providing normal conditions for living and training, surrounded by hills and high peaks white with the heavy snow of those days. The freezing wind and sub-zero temperatures had turned the snow into ice, and movement required great care. An inspection team from the Ministry of Defense had arrived in Fekeni to closely monitor the training.

There was a massive commitment from all students to face the weather hardships and present themselves well to the inspectors. That evening, we were briefed on the next day’s program. However, a cold rain mixed with snowflakes fell all night, and a new layer of “sleeping” snow settled over the old base, ready to slide. This made the ascent of the imposing Mount Meçek extremely difficult.

Deployment for Training

On the morning of February 6, at 8:00 AM, the troops deployed from the camp under the direction of the instructors. The day’s theme was: “Mountain climbing with mountaineering techniques in difficult terrain and weather conditions.” We passed the artillery pieces and climbed above the motor road. I remember there were six platoons of about 200 students, forming a column roughly 500 meters long. As always in such exercises, the column was led by Mark Mici from Tropoja, an instructor with long experience, highly skilled, and in peak physical condition. Before the lesson, it was mandatory to conduct a briefing on movement techniques and safety measures.

The instructor began demonstrating the techniques himself, using mountaineering equipment like ice axes and collective ropes. A three-student safety group was formed, linked by personal ropes, to lead the column and break the snow, which was over 50 centimeters deep. The column began to move slowly over the blinding white snow as the sun rose over Meçek. The mass of snow and the slope’s incline – reaching up to 70 degrees – made the climb grueling. But the instructors offered words of encouragement: “Careful!” and “Help one another!”

Despite the difficulties, everyone was determined to complete the task, even at the risk of their lives. At the head of the column were the infantry students, followed by those from logistics, communications, and anti-aircraft artillery. Midway, we entered a beech forest and continued moving to the right. The head of the column reached the “three lonely trees,” an orientation point from which the trigonometric point at the 1,827-meter summit of Meçek was visible.

Silence fell everywhere… only an occasional cough and the whistling of the freezing wind could be heard. The lead of the column was about 300 meters from the summit. Half the column had just cleared the woods, and everything had gone well so far. However, the steep, barren section we had to cross made movement very difficult. Therefore, Instructor Mark and the safety group moved about 100 meters to the left, cutting through the snow layer on top of the ice with their footsteps.

The Avalanche

Suddenly, the entire layer of snow from the summit broke away like a lightning strike – a powerful wave that hit the entire column from start to finish in seconds. The entire mountainside was uprooted in its full width, sweeping away everything in its path. As it moved down, the avalanche grew more powerful and dangerous. It snapped tree trunks and carried away students and instructors, who fought the snow to save them and their comrades. The first moments were horrific. One could hear the roar of the descending snow, the cracking of breaking branches, and the screams of students calling out for their friends.

The safety group “flew” with the snow and, fortunately, stopped against a beech trunk, quickly freeing themselves from the collective rope. Adem Hali, Namik Dardha, and the third in line were hit first, suffering minor injuries. Nearby, Instructor Mark was the first to stand up; he fired three shots into the air with his pistol to signal the danger. He looked for the automatic rifle student Eqerem was carrying, but the snow had ripped it from his shoulder. The shots were heard by the artillery guards, who sounded the alarm for the entire school. In the heart of Mount Meçek, the battle continued.

It was a true war scene, given the losses and injuries. Along with the instructor, who kept shouting, “Help your comrades!” and “Search for your friends!”, we descended toward the hit column. The snow was stained red with the blood of twenty-year-old boys. It was a sight of horror: dead comrades, injured students with broken limbs, students screaming and crying from their wounds and the grief for those lost beside them – Besnik Shehu, Aleko Gjoni, Bilbil Pashaj, Bujar Ago, Ilir Gramatiko, Pëllumb Rrapo, and Qemal Lika, whose head injury proved fatal despite efforts to stop the hemorrhage.

Running through the snow was the powerful Instructor Bashkim Lika, who had survived. He stopped by the logistics students, who were hit hardest, helping, directing, and giving courage. In that icy terrain, the search continued while the transport of the seriously injured began, using greatcoats (capes) adapted as sled-stretchers. All the severely wounded were gathered at “Qafa e Patates” (Potato Pass), awaiting the helicopter from Farka, Tirana.

Aiding the Victims

School Commander Rustem Peçi, upon being informed, assessed the grave situation and rapidly organized troops to assist. Officers, instructors, and students halted their training and rushed toward Mount Meçek from all directions – the camp, “Qafa e Shefave,” “Shkëmbi i Selitës,” and “Qafa e Vdekjes.” Bashkim Topçiu, a military official from the General Staff who was there for the inspection, took charge of the rescue operation alongside school staff.

The service troops at the camp, led by Duty Officer Vasi Nathanaili, were the first to arrive. In that situation, no one thought of their own life; the highest human values of solidarity, brotherly love, and courage were on full display. At the site where students had battled the first avalanche, a massive effort was underway to save those buried beneath the cold snow.

Commanding officers and instructors arrived deeply distressed, including Dushan Shameti, Çlirim Pulaj, Nikollaq Bero, Abaz Çipi, Myzafer Kambo, Misto Anastasi, Luftëtar Guri, Behar Sabriu, and Sali Zhakupi, all showing heroism to save their comrades. After two hours of searching, the entire area of the first avalanche had been combed, but then, unexpectedly, a second avalanche struck, breaking off from the other side of Mount Meçek. It was even more powerful than the first – a true catastrophe. Again, the snow mass swept away everything, but this time, the students and officers who had come to help managed to avoid the main impact due to quicker reactions and precautionary lookout signals.

With tears in their eyes and a desperate love for their friends, officers Dushan Shameti, Çlirim Pulaj, Nikollaq Bero, and student Nexhip Çoba lost their lives in this second wave. That afternoon, news of the deaths and the acts of heroism spread quickly, particularly the humanity of the head of the physical training department, the indomitable Petrit Murzaku, who fought death for minutes to save students. The loss of Battalion Commander Dushan Shameti was a blow stronger than the avalanche itself for us students, who loved him dearly.

Everything Driven by Human Love

We carried our beloved commander’s lifeless body down the mountain on our shoulders. We gathered around him as we once did, to hear his final wishes. That day, there were no orders; everything was driven by human love. The wind at “Qafa e Patates” made the helicopter landing difficult, but thanks to the skill of the brave pilots, they touched down. Veli Llakaj, Chief of the General Staff, and three orthopedic surgeons from the Military Hospital arrived and immediately began treatment.

In one room, six of the most critically injured fought for their lives, assisted by students and Instructor Met Lushi. The helicopter soon took the most critical cases to the Military Hospital. We returned to camp with heavy hearts. As darkness fell, the search was suspended, but roll calls confirmed that Instructor Çlirim Pulaj and two students were missing. They spent the night under the cold snow. We hoped they might be alive, but they were found the next day by special forces from Tirana. It was a painful night where grief had to be turned into strength.

The Ministry of Defense and the school command organized the return of the fallen to their families and the funeral ceremonies. Minister of Defense Kadri Hazbiu was present at the hospital, and Prime Minister Mehmet Shehu visited the wounded. The funerals were attended by many. I went to the village of Kremenar in Mallakastër with my classmates Dashamir Gjoliku, Fuat Spahiu, and Instructor Fatbardh Murati to say a final goodbye to our unforgettable friend, Bilbil Pashaj.

I can never forget the lament of Bilbil’s mother, her painful words and striking verses. Her only wish was to know the truth of how her son died. When she asked, with tears in our eyes and trembling voices, we told her. Mothers lost sons, sisters lost brothers, small children were left orphaned, and we lost our best friends. Many were wounded, but all of us who survived were deeply wounded in our souls – a wound that has never healed due to their eternal absence…!

Eternal Glory to the Eleven Martyrs of Fekeni

The massive heroism of those people and the eternal glory of the eleven Martyrs of Fekeni are etched onto a marble plaque placed on a rock from Mount Meçek…! February 6 is rooted deep in our consciousness. It is a day of remembrance for our comrades, the “Martyrs of the Fatherland,” who lost their lives in the flower of their youth. Eleven were declared Martyrs of the Fatherland, and many others were decorated for acts of humanity and bravery.

My connection to this event is powerful – not just as a participant who was third in the column, but as someone who lost his battalion commander, his tactics instructor, and two classmates. The Martyrs of Fekeni, through their bravery, became a source of inspiration for all military personnel… / Memorie.al

Victims of the Tragedy:

• Commander: Dushan Shametaj
• Planning Chief: Çlirim Pulaj
• Instructor: Nikollaq Bero
• Student: Besnik Shehu
• Student: Bilbil Pashaj
• Student: Aleko Gjoni
• Student: Qemal Lika
• Student: Pëllumb Rrapo
• Student: Ilir Gramatiko
• Student: Nexhip Copa
• Student: Bujar Ago