Rescuers search into the night after deadly Albanian earthquake, at least 20 dead
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Rescuers are searching the rubble of buildings into the night in Albania, where a strong earthquake killed over 20 people and injured 600 on Tuesday.
Hours later, another quake rattled Bosnia.
The 6.4 magnitude tremor struck 34km north-west of the capital, Tirana, as people slept in their beds during the early hours.
Most of the deaths occurred in the coastal city of Durres and the town of Thumane, close to the epicentre.
Rescue workers search for survivors in the rubble of a building after an earthquake hit Thumane, Albania. EPA-EFE/VALDRIN XHEMAJ
Tents have been set up for those left homeless by the disaster with various neighbouring countries sending help.
The EU said it had activated its Civil Protection Mechanism at the request of the Albanian authorities. While Albania is not an EU member, the mechanism allows Brussels to respond to emergencies outside EU borders.
A collapsed building after an earthquake in Durres, Albania. EPA-EFE/MALTON DIBRA
The bloc engaged its Copernicus satellite monitoring system to deliver images of the area and mobilized three search and rescue teams, according to EU Humanitarian Commissioner Christos Stylianides.
The Albanian government declared Wednesday a national day of mourning for the victims. Neighbouring Kosovo, which has a large Albanian population, will also recognize Wednesday as a mourning day.
Rescue teams of firemen, army and police search for survivors in the rubble of a collapsed building after an earthquake in Durres, Albania. EPA-EFE/MALTON DIBRA
Hours later, a magnitude 5.2 quake shook parts of southern Bosnia, around 75 south the capital, Sarajevo, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.
President Ilir Meta told journalists that “the situation is very dramatic. All efforts are being done to take the people out of the ruins.” He called on the Cabinet to request international assistance.
