Powerful earthquake in the Balkans. There are victims
Eight people were killed and more than 300 injured in the earthquake that struck Albania around 4am today.
The epicenter of the first shock, with magnitudes of 6,4 and 6,5 on the Richter scale, was located near the Albanian city of Drach, at a depth of almost 20 kilometers.
Around 7.10 am, a new series of tremors followed with a magnitude of about 5 on the Richter scale.
Tremors were also felt in Montenegro.
Rescuers are working at the site of collapsed buildings, trying to rescue entire families from the rubble. Due to damage to the terminal, Mother Teresa Airport in Tirana was closed. Lessons have been canceled in schools.
Montenegro and Serbia sent their rescue teams to take part in clearing the rubble and rescuing the victims. The prime ministers of Italy and Greece, Giuseppe Conte and Kyriakos Mikotakis, ordered the dispatch of special teams to Albania. In addition, Romania, Italy and Türkiye sent their specialists. Bosnia and Herzegovina offered assistance.
At the same time, a strong earthquake occurred in Bosnia and Herzegovina itself in the morning, at 10.20. The epicenter was at a depth of 10 km and was located near the city of Nevesinha. According to preliminary data from the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC), an earthquake of magnitude 5,4 occurred in Nevesinje. A number of houses were damaged, as well as schools. The damage is being investigated.
There were no reports of casualties. Tremors were also felt in the capital of Republika Srpska, Banja Luka.
In September this year, an earthquake measuring 5,3 on the Richter scale occurred in close proximity to the current epicenter in Albania, injuring at least 70 people and damaging 500 houses.
English version :: Read in English: A powerful earthquake hits the Balkans. There are casualties.