Death toll rises as recover efforts continue following 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Albania
By
Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist &
Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Nov 26, 2019 10:55 AM EST
At least 14 people are dead and hundreds more are injured after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake rattled Albania on Nov. 26.
At least 42 people have been killed and more than 750 injured after a powerful 6.4 earthquake struck roughly 20 miles (30 kilometers) west of Tirana, Albania, around 4 a.m. local time, on Tuesday according to Associated Press.
The United States Geological Survey stated the quake struck at a depth of approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers) below ground.
A man looks at a damaged building after an earthquake in Thumane, western Albania, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019. Overnight, authorities said four more people had been confirmed dead, and one more death was reported early Wednesday afternoon, raising the death toll to 26, while more than 650 people were injured in the magnitude-6.4 quake that struck the country's coastal cities. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Additional tremors following Tuesday morning's quake have continued to interrupt rescue operations. On Wednesday, at least two tremors of over 5.0 were reported by the USGS. Another 5.1 magnitude quake shook the region on Thursday as rescue efforts continued.
The epicenter of the powerful earthquake was near Albania's west coast early Tuesday morning.
Thursday's aftershock caused further damage to buildings that were already in a weakened state from the recent barrage of earthquakes.
Images of crumbled infrastructure and reports of people trapped within buildings began to emerge Tuesday. As of midday on Thursday, dozens of survivors had been rescued from the rubble, according to Aljazeera.
People look at a damaged building after an earthquake in Durres, western Albania, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. A magnitude 6.4 earthquake has shaken Albania. The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake was centered 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) northwest of the capital Tirana. It was at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). (AP Photo)
More than 2,000 people that have been left homeless in Thumane remained in tents as of Thursday. The government has pledged to build new homes for those left homeless in 2020.
Mainly dry weather aided clean-up efforts into Thursday; however, wet weather will affect the region from Thursday night into Saturday.
While the rain is not expected to be heavy enough to cause flooding, it may affect clean-up and recovery efforts and create harsh conditions for those left homeless following the quake.
People stand next to a damaged building after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Durres, western Albania, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. A strong earthquake has shaken Albania, killing at least four people, injuring 150 and collapsing buildings. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina)
Schools in the towns of Durress, Lezhe and Tirana have closed until further notice in response to the events unfolding.
Large earthquakes are not completely uncommon across this part of the world. There have been seven magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquakes to occur within 150 kilometers (93 miles) of Tuesday's earthquake within the last 100 years.
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News / Severe Weather
Death toll rises as recover efforts continue following 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Albania
By Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist & Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Nov 26, 2019 10:55 AM EST
At least 14 people are dead and hundreds more are injured after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake rattled Albania on Nov. 26.
At least 42 people have been killed and more than 750 injured after a powerful 6.4 earthquake struck roughly 20 miles (30 kilometers) west of Tirana, Albania, around 4 a.m. local time, on Tuesday according to Associated Press.
The United States Geological Survey stated the quake struck at a depth of approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers) below ground.
A man looks at a damaged building after an earthquake in Thumane, western Albania, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019. Overnight, authorities said four more people had been confirmed dead, and one more death was reported early Wednesday afternoon, raising the death toll to 26, while more than 650 people were injured in the magnitude-6.4 quake that struck the country's coastal cities. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Additional tremors following Tuesday morning's quake have continued to interrupt rescue operations. On Wednesday, at least two tremors of over 5.0 were reported by the USGS. Another 5.1 magnitude quake shook the region on Thursday as rescue efforts continued.
The epicenter of the powerful earthquake was near Albania's west coast early Tuesday morning.
Thursday's aftershock caused further damage to buildings that were already in a weakened state from the recent barrage of earthquakes.
Images of crumbled infrastructure and reports of people trapped within buildings began to emerge Tuesday. As of midday on Thursday, dozens of survivors had been rescued from the rubble, according to Aljazeera.
People look at a damaged building after an earthquake in Durres, western Albania, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. A magnitude 6.4 earthquake has shaken Albania. The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake was centered 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) northwest of the capital Tirana. It was at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). (AP Photo)
More than 2,000 people that have been left homeless in Thumane remained in tents as of Thursday. The government has pledged to build new homes for those left homeless in 2020.
Mainly dry weather aided clean-up efforts into Thursday; however, wet weather will affect the region from Thursday night into Saturday.
While the rain is not expected to be heavy enough to cause flooding, it may affect clean-up and recovery efforts and create harsh conditions for those left homeless following the quake.
People stand next to a damaged building after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Durres, western Albania, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. A strong earthquake has shaken Albania, killing at least four people, injuring 150 and collapsing buildings. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina)
Schools in the towns of Durress, Lezhe and Tirana have closed until further notice in response to the events unfolding.
Large earthquakes are not completely uncommon across this part of the world. There have been seven magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquakes to occur within 150 kilometers (93 miles) of Tuesday's earthquake within the last 100 years.
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