The number of victims from the powerful explosion that hit a 5-story building in the “Beqir Dardha” neighborhood in Elbasan on Wednesday has risen to two. Search and rescue teams have found the body of 69-year-old Hamit Ibro, who had been missing since the moment of the explosion, under the rubble. The search for him continued for several hours, while the damage to the building made the intervention difficult.
The explosion caused the collapse of walls and stairs, while three floors of the building were severely damaged. An 82-year-old woman who lived in the apartment next door also lost her life in the incident. Ten other people received medical attention after suffering asphyxiation and are out of danger.
The building has been declared uninhabitable and residents have been evacuated, while authorities are working to rehabilitate them. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. Preliminary suspicions are that it may have been caused by a gas cylinder.
