(26 Nov 2019) Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama visited quake-hit Thumane in northern Albania on Tuesday as rescue workers searched for survivors from an earthquake that killed at least 18 people and injured more than 600. The magnitude-6.4 quake was felt across the southern Balkans and was followed by multiple aftershocks, with several above magnitude 5.
The US Geological Survey said the quake, which struck just before 4 a.m. local time, had an epicentre 30 kilometres (19 miles) northwest of the capital, Tirana, at a depth of 20 kilometres (12 miles).
Rami could be seen speaking with rescue workers and civilians affected by the quake in Thumane.
Thumane resident Kristina Margjini said "everything is destroyed" following the quake and that her family will be staying in tents with their neighbours.
In nearby Bosnia, another temblor with a preliminary magnitude of 5.4 struck southeast of the capital and rattled Sarajevo. There were no reports of casualties and only minor damage in that earthquake.
The quake in Albania collapsed apartment buildings and hotels while people slept, and rescue crews worked through the day and into the evening to free people believed trapped.
Many collapsed buildings in Durres and Thumane in the north, the main quake-hit centres, are believed to still contain trapped people. 43 have been extracted from the ruins so far.
Rescue teams from around Europe have reached Albania to help local officials.
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