Defence Minister Vengu inspects Elbasan Landfill: Calls for urgent modernization of Civil Emergency System

Published: Tuesday, 08 July 2025 15:29

Following a recent fire at the Elbasan landfill, sparked by soaring summer temperatures, Defence Minister Pirro Vengu, alongside Interior Minister Ervin Hoxha, visited the site today to assess the situation and ongoing safety measures.

Joining them on site were Elbasan Mayor Gledian Llatja and County Prefect Ilir Bejtja.

During the inspection, Minister Vengu commended the relentless efforts of firefighters, local civil emergency teams, the Armed Forces, and all other institutions involved. He noted that their swift and well-coordinated response helped prevent a major environmental disaster and safeguarded the health of nearby communities.

The fire was brought under control thanks to support from firefighting units across Elbasan and neighboring municipalities, along with the use of modern technology, such as drones, for aerial surveillance and hotspot detection.

“This kind of incident clearly shows how urgent it is to fully modernize our civil emergency system,” Minister Vengu said. “We need to install thermal cameras for continuous monitoring at landfill sites and ensure that fire engines are stationed nearby at all times.”

He also highlighted a significant step forward: the involvement of the national defence industry in producing emergency response equipment.
“The state-owned company KAYO is already working on manufacturing fire engines and other tools, aiming to meet domestic needs and strengthen Albania’s technological self-sufficiency.” - Vengu added.

At the end of the visit, the ministers emphasized the importance of stronger inter-agency coordination and increased investment in advanced technology to better handle emergencies and protect public safety.

A special task force, which includes international experts, has been formed to carry out a full assessment of the landfill fire and recommend steps to avoid similar incidents in the future.