In Memoriam/ Enrik Mehmeti, from an 11-year-old translator during the unrest of 1997 to Rai correspondent and the voice of Vlora for more than 20 years

News24 journalist Enrik Mehmeti died at the age of 40 following a tragic motorcycle accident at Porto-Nova beach in Vlora.

A man who lived with a passion for the pace of breaking news, he himself became the most painful and unbelievable news for all those who had the opportunity to know him, speak with him or work alongside him.

He leaves behind a rich and lengthy professional career in print and broadcast media.

From the very early days of News24, Mehmeti became part of the television channel and reported with professionalism and dedication on developments in the city of Vlora.

Crime reporting, major police operations, social issues and tourism were among the fields he covered, while his passing represents a great loss for the Focus Media Group media family.

His connection to the mission of informing the public began in childhood. During the turbulent year of 1997, as bullets passed close to him, Enrik Mehmeti, then just 11 years old, worked as a translator at the “Alba” mission camp, giving a voice to those who had no opportunity to be heard.

As he had previously recounted, it was precisely in the courage of that child, who had to grow up ahead of time, that he realised journalism would be his life’s mission. Enrik did not simply chase the news, as developments unfolded in real time exactly where he was.

Supported by the determination that characterised him and by words as a journalist’s strongest weapon, he also worked as a correspondent for Italian television channel Rai, for which he reported live on events from Albania.

His premature death is a great loss for the journalistic community, but also for Vlora and its residents, for whom Enrik Mehmeti became the voice they lacked and the image that represented them.