At least 40 people have died and hundreds more have been injured by the earthquakes that hit Albania in the past two days, while the number of victims only keeps getting heavier.
Hundreds of people have spent the second night among the ruins, in tents or cars, after the 6.4 magnitude earthquake, the strongest in decades that hit Albania in the early hours of November 26, about 30 kilometers northwest of Tirana.
Rescue teams from more than 10 countries joined Albanian teams on November 27 to search for people who may have been trapped under the rubble. Most of the victims were caused in the city of Durrës and the town of Thumanë.
The largest number of victims was recorded in Thumana, where two buildings collapsed and 23 people died. Sixteen other people have lost their lives in several areas of Durrës, in a collapsed 6-story building in the city, in two ruined hotels in the Beach area, as well as a house in the area of the former Swamp, where three brothers and their families lived. . Among the victims so far are 4 children, from 3 to 8 years old.
Albania today marks the 107th anniversary of the declaration of independence, a day that finds the country in panic and without calm.
also
"Voice of America": 2019, a bitter year for Albania
The president of the country, Ilir Meta, said that this day found the country in mourning and invited the citizens to stay united to help the families affected by the earthquake return to normal.
"On this day which is the most important for our state and nation, but which found us in mourning and in battle with the terrible consequences of a merciless earthquake, I invite you to commit to honor our National Flag and stand united until in the restoration of full normality of life for all Albanian families and their children", said Meta.
Prime Minister Edi Rama, through a post on Facebook, said that Flag Day found Albania in the dark.
"Red Flag Day entered the darkness that surrounds us temporarily, before sunrise. God bless Albania, Albanians without any distinction, wherever they are and regardless of their beliefs and the most beautiful flag in the world, of course", writes Rama.
Even the leader of the opposition, Lulzim Basha, said that on the occasion of the 107th anniversary of independence, "the thoughts and prayers of Albanians" are with the injured and the families of the victims.
"On Tuesday morning, while Albanians were preparing to commemorate the 107th anniversary of Independence, a terrible earthquake hit our country. We still don't know the full extent of the damage. What we know so far is that dozens of Albanians have tragically lost their lives under the rubble, hundreds have been injured and their homes have been destroyed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured, with those who suffer and with the families who experienced the greatest pain, that of losing their dear people", said Basha.
On the other hand, in addition to telegrams of condolences, countries from all over the world have come to Albania's aid, with monetary and food donations.
The European Union office in Tirana, through a post on Twitter, has expressed solidarity with Albania.
also
According to preliminary estimates, 6000 buildings and flats have been damaged in Albania, 9000 residents are homeless.
"On the Independence Day of Albania, our thoughts are with the Albanian people and in particular with those affected by the tragedy and their families. More than ever, the European Union stands united with the Albanian people", reads the EU message.
Even the outgoing president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Junker, has sent a letter to Prime Minister Edi Rama and President Ilir Meta, expressing his condolences to the victims of the earthquake and confirming the European Union's support for Albania in these difficult moments for the country.
"With great sadness I learned about the destruction caused by the earthquake in Albania, the second in the last two months. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the victims, their families and to all the citizens of Albania. The European Union stands in solidarity with Albania in these tragic moments and you can count on our help", writes Junker.
Another earthquake of magnitude 5,3 hit Albania at 15:45 on Wednesday, causing further movement of the ruins of the already collapsed buildings. The epicenter of the earthquake was in the Adriatic Sea, 24 kilometers north of Durres, with a depth of 10 kilometers. The Red Cross in Albania has said that around 2,500 people have been displaced. As a consequence of this situation, Albania has declared a state of emergency.
The Institute of Geosciences, Energy, Water and Environment of Albania has announced that the country has been hit by 523 earthquakes since the big shock on Tuesday morning.
The four most powerful tremors have had a magnitude above 4.5, including the main earthquake event with a magnitude of 6.3.
Meanwhile, 8 earthquakes have a magnitude of 4 - 4.5 on the Richter scale. About 17 oscillations are 3.5 - 3.9, and the rest are below this magnitude.
After the powerful earthquake on Tuesday morning, the Ministry of Education of Albania has announced that classes throughout the country will be suspended for two days.
also
Hopes to survive under the ruins in Albania fade
Albania was hit two months ago by an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 on the Richter scale and an intensity of 7.5. It was considered the largest recorded in the last 20-30 years.
That earthquake was followed by at least 350 tremors of a lower intensity./Rel
