Albania Earthquake Update: At Least 6 Dead, 325 Injured As Strongest Quake In Decades Strikes Balkan Nation

At least 6 people died and 325 injured as a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit the Balkan nation of Albania early Tuesday morning. It is one of the strongest earthquakes to strike Albania in decades.

Several structures were destroyed and many people were feared trapped under the rubble after the heavily populated, capital city of Tirana, along with the cities Durres and Thumane, were shaken by the earthquake.

The event took place at about 2.54 a.m. local time, Tuesday (8.54 p.m. EST, Monday) and caused collapsing of several buildings. The local reports suggested that one of the casualties, in Kurbin, occurred as a man was trying to save himself by jumping out of a falling building. The emergency workers in the area told local sources that an elderly woman had shielded her grandson with her body from the rubble and died in the process.

The damages reported due to the quake include a four-story hotel named Mira Mare in Durres, which was completely destroyed, and another building that was severely damaged. Images posted on social media showed buildings with large cracks and those with damaged walls.

A minimum of three apartment buildings and power supply stations were also damaged. The total cost of the damage was not determined.

Terming the situation to be “very dramatic”, Albania’s president, Ilir Meta, ensured that “all efforts are being done to take people out of the ruins”. The interior ministry of the country requested its people to avoid driving in the affected area and to let the emergency services operate freely. Authorities warned about aftershocks and advised the people to stay in open places in order to avoid being trapped in debris.

The event occurred after a 5.4 magnitude earthquake had hit Albania earlier this year on Sept. 21.