Defence Minister’s Press Release

Published: Saturday, 21 September 2019 20:37

 

Dear citizens,

I know that these hours have been very disturbing for all of us. I want to share with you the official preliminary information we currently have, based on data coming from the affected area through Emergency Headquarters in all 12 Prefectures, emergency teams in all 61 municipalities, police stations and hospitals to give you a fuller picture of the situation.

The earthquake that hit today at 16:05 was of magnitude 5.8 on the Richter scale, with an intensity of 7 to 8 at the epicenter. The epicenter was in the Adriatic Sea, 30 kilometers North of Durrës. The initial strike has been accompanied by some tremors, fortunately with lower magnitude and intensity.
According to experts from the Geosciences Institute, with whom we are in constant contact, it is expected that the main event is followed by further tremors until stabilization of the tectonic plates. But considering the 16:05 earthquake as the main seismic event, it is good news that subsequent strikes have marked a downward trend, both in magnitude and intensity.

According to preliminary official information and I would like to point out that this information is being updated minute after minute as the teams scan the situation in the area, as of the moment we are talking, there are 68 injured people reported, but in all cases minor injuries , mainly due to the situation of fear experienced by citizens during the earthquake and after receiving medical treatment, have left for their homes again. Some of the injured were assisted by ambulance medical teams near their places of residence.

The most important thing: there are no casualties.