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Albania inspects quake damages, sees over 100 aftershocks

Posted September 22, 2019 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Damaged cars outside the Faculty of Geology building after an earthquake in Tirana, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. Albania's government and news reports say an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.8 shook in the country's west and injured at least two people. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press

POGRADEC, Albania (AP) - Many Albanians in the capital of Tirana and the port city of Durres have not gone back home after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake injured 105 people and damaged hundreds of homes.

Authorities say the Saturday afternoon quake was followed by more than 100 aftershocks. It also damaged about 600 homes and knocked out power and water facilities in Tirana, Durres and some other western and central districts. Many people fled their homes and were staying in temporary shelters as experts inspected damaged homes Sunday.

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.

A damaged building after an earthquake in Tirana, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. Albania's government and news reports say an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.8 shook in the country's west and injured at least two people. (AP Photo) The Associated Press

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