“I WILL NOT LET THIS LIFE FADE AWAY”: Professor from Novi Pazar saves French tourist who nearly drowned in Ulcinj!

Fetija Feta Jakupović from Novi Pazarsaved the life of an elderly French tourist who nearly drowned on September 20 at the beach of the “Otrant” Hotel in Ulcinj.

The drama began in the afternoon, when swimmers pulled a woman from the sea who was not breathing and showed no signs of life. While those gathered were trying to contact the emergency medical service, Jakupović, a microbiologist and professor at the Medical School in Novi Pazar, was among those present.

Seeing that the tourist was unconscious, Fetija immediately approached her and began resuscitation. As she recounts, some of those present believed there was no longer any hope for the woman, but she refused to give up.

“While I was fighting for her life, I was crying like a child. I was thinking about my mother. I told myself: ‘I will not let her go, and that’s it!’ I felt great strength and a deep faith that Allah would not allow this life to fade away,” Fetija recounted.

After approximately four minutes of chest compressions and first aid, the French tourist expelled water and began breathing again. Her pulse returned, and her condition gradually stabilized.

According to witnesses, the emergency medical team arrived at the scene about 40 minutes later and took over care of the rescued woman. The moment the tourist took another breath brought great relief among those gathered, who applauded Fetija’s brave actions.

The quick reaction, medical knowledge and persistence of the professor from Novi Pazar proved crucial at a moment when every second mattered. Thanks to her composure, the vacation of a French tourist did not end in tragedy.

Through this act, Fetija Feta Jakupović showed how important knowledge of first aid and the willingness to react are in emergency situations, while Novi Pazar has gained yet another reason to be proud of its fellow citizen.