Albania's worst quake in
decades injures over 100
 |
| A lady removes a small table from her damaged house in the village of Zhurje near Tirana (AFP) |
Many Albanians have fled their homes after Albania's
strongest earthquake in decades, which was followed by massive aftershocks,
injuring at least more than 100 people.
By Stefan J. Bos
Amid scattered debris, thousands of Albanians face a
significant challenge. At least hundreds of homes and other buildings are
damaged across
Albania and a 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook parts of this
impoverished Balkan nation. Scores of people were rushed to hospitals.
The epicenter of Saturday's quake, with a depth of 10
kilometers, some six miles, was located near the port city of Durres, west of
the capital Tirana.
Rescue workers are now inspecting the damage including broken
windows and deep fissures in the facades of buildings in Durres and Tirana.
It also knocked out telephone lines as well as power and
water facilities in Tirana, Durres and towns and villages across western and
central districts.
Many Albanians spent the night in the open, too afraid to
return home. An aftershock with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 also sent
residents running out of homes and apartments.
100 aftershocks
That wasn't all. Authorities say more than 100 aftershocks
followed the Saturday afternoon quake.
Defense Minister Olta Xhacka, speaking at a Cabinet
meeting Sunday that felt one of the aftershocks, said "luckily
oil wells were not damaged."
Located along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Albania is
earthquake-prone and registers seismic activity every few days.
But Albania's defense ministry said Saturday's quake
was "the strongest" in the country in some 30 years.
Premier cancels trip
Prime Minister Edi Rama canceled a trip to the United
Nations annual meeting and returned to Albania to deal with the aftermath of
the disaster.
Authorities said town halls have now opened shelters for
people unable to go inside their homes.
But the massive quake could not have come at a worse moment
for Albania.
It is among Europe's most impoverished nations.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét