delvine – Albanian  Telegraphic  Agency. https://en.ata.gov.al News Agency Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:28:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Firefighters contain blaze advancing toward homes in Delvinë https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/08/13/firefighters-contain-blaze-advancing-toward-homes-in-delvine/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/08/13/firefighters-contain-blaze-advancing-toward-homes-in-delvine/#respond Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:09:52 +0000 https://en.ata.gov.al/?p=271769 TIRANA, Aug 13 /ATA/ – Albanian Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday that firefighters from the Armed Forces’ Civil Emergency Brigade (BMEC) successfully stopped a wildfire from advancing toward residential areas in Delvinë, southern Albania.

Deployed across multiple points in the town, firefighting teams have been battling the flames for several hours.

The Ministry of Defense highlighted that ground crews have been supported by aerial assets and have coordinated closely with local civil emergency services and the State Police.

An Italian Canadair aircraft, deployed through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, also assisted the firefighting efforts.

Albania is battling 24 active wildfires after 64 blazes erupted in just 24 hours, with over 10,000 emergency personnel deployed nationwide.

Authorities say the situation is “moving toward stabilisation” but warn that soaring temperatures and strong midday winds could reignite old flames and spark new ones. Helicopters from Albania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are hitting fire fronts in the southern districts of Vlorë and Finiq, where entire villages have been evacuated and several homes destroyed.

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]]> https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/08/13/firefighters-contain-blaze-advancing-toward-homes-in-delvine/feed/ 0 Opposition MP calls for full and immediate compensation for fire-affected residents https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/08/02/opposition-mp-calls-for-full-and-immediate-compensation-for-fire-affected-residents/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/08/02/opposition-mp-calls-for-full-and-immediate-compensation-for-fire-affected-residents/#respond Sat, 02 Aug 2025 12:14:13 +0000 https://en.ata.gov.al/?p=270775 TIRANA, Aug 2 /ATA/ –  Democratic Party lawmaker Ina Zhupa on Saturday visited the administrative unit of Vergo in Delvinë, southern Albania, where recent wildfires have caused significant damage to residents’ properties and livelihoods.

During her visit, Zhupa voiced deep concern for the affected families and criticized the lack of immediate response from local and central authorities.

She emphasized that all residents have been impacted, and many feel hopeless about what lies ahead.

“We are here not only to offer moral support but to demand that the government and the municipality fulfill their legal obligations,” opposition MP stated. She called for the urgent creation of a joint task force made up of representatives from both local and central government to conduct a house-by-house assessment of the damages.

Zhupa stressed that beyond documenting the losses, authorities must ensure full and prompt monetary compensation for the affected families so they can rebuild and restore their lives.

She warned against repeating the same poor crisis management seen during previous fire emergencies.

“It is essential that the compensation process be swift, effective, and complete. Only then can we give these communities hope and the chance to remain in their villages and continue life in Albania,” Zhupa concluded.

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]]> https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/08/02/opposition-mp-calls-for-full-and-immediate-compensation-for-fire-affected-residents/feed/ 0 Wildfires near Delvine villages contained, situation improves https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/07/25/wildfires-near-delvine-villages-contained-situation-improves/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/07/25/wildfires-near-delvine-villages-contained-situation-improves/#respond Fri, 25 Jul 2025 20:27:55 +0000 https://en.ata.gov.al/?p=270198 TIRANA, July 25 /ATA/ –  Defense Minister Pirro Vengu said that wildfires were contained and situation has improved in three villages near Delvinë – Vergo, Palavli, and Kopaçëz – following intensified firefighting efforts on Friday.

“Thanks to the concentrated response, the fire situation has improved,” Vengu said during a visit to the affected area.

Four helicopters and over 120 emergency personnel have been deployed to control the blaze and assist local residents. Authorities remain on high alert as soaring temperatures pose ongoing risks.

Defense Minister also praised the police chief in Delvine, who was injured during a rescue operation, calling his actions “truly heroic.”

Firefighters, police, and international partners have been instrumental in handling the emergency, he noted.

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]]> https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/07/25/wildfires-near-delvine-villages-contained-situation-improves/feed/ 0 Kardhiq-Delvinë road and Skërfice tunnel opens to traffic/ PM Rama: Driving time to Saranda shortened by 45 minutes https://en.ata.gov.al/2022/07/02/kardhiq-delvine-road-and-skerfice-tunnel-opens-to-traffic-pm-rama-driving-time-to-saranda-shortened-by-45-minutes/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2022/07/02/kardhiq-delvine-road-and-skerfice-tunnel-opens-to-traffic-pm-rama-driving-time-to-saranda-shortened-by-45-minutes/#respond Sat, 02 Jul 2022 15:20:19 +0000 http://en.ata.gov.al/?p=182832 TIRANA, July 2 /ATA/ – The 33-km Kardhiq-Delvine road, including the 1.3-km Skerfice tunnel, the newest road infrastructure project to complete in Albania, opened to traffic on Saturday,  marking completion of one of the most strategic road projects that will open up significant new areas of tourism potential and economic development in southern Albania and Saranda in particular.

The new road shortens the driving time to the coastal town of Saranda by 45 minutes and ensures highest safety standards along a panoramic road running through another scenic landscape of the Albanian nature.

The long-awaited infrastructure project for local residents and visitors is a decades-long promise has been finally opened to the traffic, significantly easing communication and travelling during the peak summer season with the growing number of both local and foreign visitors to the area.

Completion of work on construction of the new 33-km road was transformed into a true celebratory  event  for local residents on both sides of the road, featuring a series of promoting activities, a fair showcasing locally-grown produce, a rites festival and a photo exhibition showing images of best and most popular tourist destinations in the area.

Prime Minister Rama started his trip to the area by visiting the newly-built road on the tunnel entrance from the museum city of Gjirokaster, accompanied by the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku, and the Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro, and travelled then through the tunnel to visit the area of Delvine.

Construction work completed two months ahead of schedule. Skërfica tunnel passes through a stunning scenic landscape, but a very tough terrain and difficult geological conditions.

“We hand over the Skërfice tunnel today. This is the seventh section of Kardhiq – Delvine road, a project that was launched in 2008, with three of its sections incomplete and completely abandoned, but their construction completed ten years later in 2018, when we kicked off construction work on three more sections whose construction completed in 2021 and the last section, namely the two-lane 1.3 km Skërfice tunnel that we inaugurate today. Construction of the tunnel started in August 2020 and completed in August 2022 it completed two months ahead of schedule so that the entire road is open to the traffic for the summer tourist season this year. It is one of the most important infrastructure projects connecting Gjirokaster, Saranda and Tepelena. Construction of this road is a long-awaited event for local residents, businesses and visitors,” the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku said.

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