Seven people have been confirmed dead, by the Albanian Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka, as of 10:30 am, after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit the city of Durres, at 03:54 in the morning. Major shocks were felt in the capital Tirana, 35 km west of Durres, and other neighbouring areas.
Rescue teams found the bodies of a 10-year old girl and her grandmother in the town of Thumana, 38 km north of Tirana, in the ruins of a 5-story residential building that collapsed.
Two women died when a 7-story hotel was totally flattened, in the city of Durres, where another 18-year old girl died in the collapse of another residential building.
Another person was reported dead in the Hotel Miramar, south of Durres.
A man was found dead in Kurbin, after he reportedly jumped from his apartment’s balcony amidst panic during the earthquake.
A dozen more people are reported to be trapped under rubbles in the city of Durres.
Authorities also confirmed 325 injured people. Heavy damages have been reported throughout the country. Rescue teams and inhabitants are working to save people caught under ruins.
