Corporal Zarife Hasanaj falls while on duty

Published: Monday, 06 May 2019 12:21

An effective of the Albanian Armed Forces lost her life and two others were injured by the explosion of some ammunition during the combat operations in NATO’s Mission in Latvia.

Corporal Zarife Hasanaj passed away due to the explosion, while the Commander of the Contingent, Major Klodian Tanushi and Sergeant Julian Kapaj were injured. The Albanian contingent serving in the NATO’s Battalion-Size Battle Group in Latvia has the task of disposing ammunition and explosive ordnances.

Immediately after the grave occurrence, Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka expressed her pain for the loss of Corporal Hasanaj and condolences to her family. The minister also wished quick recovery for the other two wounded soldiers. “Great pain for the loss of the Armed Forces martyr, Corporal Zarife Hasanaj. At this difficult moment we are close to our daughter’s family and we will continue to be close to them, to face the great loss together. Respect and gratitude to Zarife for the sacrifice, courage, and determination to face the risk during the fulfillment of her duties. I wish our injured sons, Major Klodian Tanushi and Sergeant Julian Kapaj, a quick recovery and a safe return to our Armed Forces family,” - wrote Minister Xhaçka.

Full Statement of Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Brigadier General Bardhyl Kollçaku:

A grave event occurred today’s morning in Latvia, where our Armed Forces are represented with a contingent under the framework of NATO’s “Enhanced Forward Presence” Mission.

A group of EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Contingent, today at 9.10 am (10.10 am local time), during their duty were injured by the explosion of some unexploded ordnance. The incident occurred during the military operations at the NATO base where a military exercise was conducted by one of the allies.
From this explosion Corporal Zarife Muharrem Hasanaj was injured and then lost her life. The Commander of the Contingent, Major Klodian Nikolla Tanushi and Sergeant Julian Xhevat Kapaj were injured.
According to current information, Major Tanushi and Sergeant Kapaj are under the maximum care of doctors at the “Camp Adazi” base in Latvia.
Concerning today’s event we are in continual contact with the highest Latvian authorities and our Allies on mission.
On behalf of the Armed Forces, I express the most heartfelt condolences to the family of Corporal Hasanaj, who lost her life while on duty and wish Major Klodian Tanushi and Sergeant Julian Kapaj quick recovery.
At the same time, on behalf of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, I assure all the family members of our effectives in Latvia that we are paying very close attention to the event that has taken place.
At this difficult moment we are close to any effective of the Armed Forces in Latvia and wherever Albania is engaged in fulfilling the mission.