A 6.4 magnitude earthquake has hit Albania, bringing down buildings and leaving people trapped under rubble. At least 10 people have died. One man died after jumping from a window in panic, a defense ministry spokeswoman confirmed.
Prime Minister Edi Rama wrote on Twitter: “We have victims. We are working to do everything possible in the affected areas.” Albanian government spokesperson says more than 300 people have received medical help in Tirana.
Defense Ministry confirmed firefighters staff were helping residents caught under the rubble in the coastal city of Durres, where three were killed. The man who died when jumping from a balcony was killed further north in Kurbin.
There have been a number of aftershocks, including one of 5.3 magnitude, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said. The Balkans is in an area prone to seismic activity. Tuesday’s earthquake has been described by authorities as the strongest to hit Albania in 20-30 year.