TIRANA, November 26/ATA/- Defense Minister Olta Xhaçka said today that 400 soldiers of the Armed Forces and 1,000 police officers are on the ground to assist earthquake victims.
“These are very difficult moments for all Albanians, regardless of whether they are in the areas that suffered the major earthquake, or in safe areas where the earthquake has passed without consequences,” said Xhaçka.
“The event is very serious indeed. The situation is difficult. Unfortunately, there were not only more and more injuries, but also casualties. So far, 7 citizens have been confirmed dead. It is our hope, it is the prayer of every Albanian citizen, that this number does not increase further, and, with our hearts and minds, we are with all those citizens who have not yet been able to restore contact with their relatives”, said Xhaçka.
The main earthquake struck at 03:55 minutes and had a magnitude of 6.3, with a depth of 10 km and the epicenter in Durres.
Xhaçka said that so far 135 people have been injured and 12 are admitted to the Durres hospital. 60 people were hospitalized in Mother Teresa University Hospital Center, but there are more and more cases.
7 people were confirmed dead, 3 in Durres, 2 in Thumana, one in Lezha and one in Kurbin.
The rescue operations are underway and there are still a number of citizens believed to be under the rubble of several collapsed buildings in Durres. /p.s./
