TIRANA, Nov 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thirteen people have died in Tuesday’s
powerful earthquake in Albania, the defence ministry said in its latest
update.
“The death toll is 13,” a statement said, without elaborating.
The 6.4 magnitude quake is the strongest to strike the Balkan state in decades and was followed by multiple aftershocks of between 5.1 and 5.4.
The quake was felt along the Albanian coast as well as neighbouring Kosovo, Montenegro, Greece, and parts of southern Serbia.
In nearby Bosnia, another temblor with a preliminary magnitude of 5.4 struck southeast of the capital and rattled Sarajevo. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage in that earthquake.
Greece and Kosovo promised to help with rescuers in Albania. “It is a dramatic moment where we should preserve calm, stay alongside each other to cope with this shock,” Prime Minister Edi Rama said, thanking countries that offered support.
Rama said he had spoken to his Italian, Greek and Turkish counterparts and with the EU and US embassies in Tirana.
The quake collapsed at least three apartment buildings while people slept, and rescue crews were working to free people believed trapped. There was no indication as to how many people might still be buried in the rubble.
The US Geological Survey said the magnitude-6.4 quake, which struck just before 4 am local time, had an epicentre 30 kilometres northwest of the capital, Tirana, at a depth of 20 kilometres.
“We are expecting multiple aftershocks following the main earthquake. That will pose a danger to human life. People in the affected areas should be aware of this danger,” said Akis Tselentis, director of the Geodynamic Institute of Greece, speaking in Athens.
Neighbouring Kosovo was sending an emergency crew, while Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ordered a fire department rescue unit specializing in disaster response to travel to Albania, Greek authorities said.
The Turkish ambassador also said his country was sending a team of rescuers and medics.
Health Minister Ogerta Manastirliu said around 300 injured people were treated in Durres, Tirana and Thumane. All government agencies were on alert and “intensively working to save lives at the fatal spots in Durres and Thumane,” Rama said. — NNN-AGENCIES
