M 5.6 earthquake struck Albania: At least 68 people injured

A strong earthquake (M 5.6) hit central Albania causing at least 68 injuries and infrastructure damage.

The tremblor struck on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at 2:04 pm UTC. Its epicenter was located in a coastal area near the port of Durrës, 35 kilometers west of Albania's capital, Tirana. According to reports, the earthquake was also felt in Greece, Italy, Montenegro and Kosovo.

The incident was followed by a series of aftershocks with the stronger measuring M 5.3. “Considering the first most powerful tremor, the main seismic event, it is good news the aftershocks have been less powerful both in magnitude and intensity,” Olta Xhacka, Defense Minister of Albania, stated.

According to the government of Albania, it was the most powerful earthquake the country has experienced since 1998 when a M 5.8 earthquake struck near Tirana

Fortunately, there were no fatalities related to the seismic shock. Albania's Health Minister, Ogerta Manastirliu, stated that 68 people have been hospitalized in the city of Tirana and the port of Durrës. Most of them were injured while trying to exit their residences. According to a pensioner, living at the 10th floor of a building in Tirana, the shock was devastating. “All our neighbors came out screaming. Thank God it did not last long - about 20 seconds. It was a nightmare on the 10th floor. I don’t remember a more powerful one than this,” he said.

46 buildings in the port of Durrës and 20 in other areas were damaged while cracks appeared in 51 more in Tirana. In addition, a roof collapsed and falling bricks destroyed 2 cars below in the capital. 

Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, canceled a scheduled trip to the annual meeting of the United Nations in New York City and returned to Albania in order to evaluate the impact of the seismic shock. 

Click the video below to watch the moment of the impact captured on camera.