A 6.4 magnitude earthquake has hit Albania at 3:54 AM local time, centered 30 km west of Tirana on 26 November 2019. The most affected areas are the coastal city of Durres and the town of Thumane. Four buildings are collapsed in the town of Thumane, while two apartment buildings and two hotels collapsed in Durres. At least 14 people died and around 600 people injured as residents were trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.
The Albanian Red Cross is responding with 160 staff and volunteers on the ground. Doctors and first aid volunteers who are providing medical and psychosocial support (PSS) to the injured and displaced. In Thumane, Red Cross teams are providing water and food for children and some PSS for those affected. In Durres, the branch office is open 24/7 and serving hot tea/coffee, water and hot meals for the affected people, as one of the collapsed buildings is located close by. The Durres branch is also present at the local football stadium where the government is setting up a tent camp for the affected people, providing blankets and hygienic kits.
Photo: Albanian Red Cross
