ALBANIA: Clean-up continues after 12,000 tons of munitions from a military depot explode over weekend

Record ID: 359574

  • Title: ALBANIA: Clean-up continues after 12,000 tons of munitions from a military depot explode over weekend
  • Date: 9th May 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Albanian) WAREHOUSE WORKER, BESNIK IMERI, SAYING: "I was inside the warehouse when the fire brok out. I don't remember how I got out." (JOURNALIST'S QUESTION - "Did you run?") "I knocked into the wall. We walked over the munitions cases. We covered ourselves with our coats and didn't see anything else. One of us was burned alive, while four others were serious
  • Embargoed: 24th May 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Albania
  • Country: Albania
  • Topics: Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVA8MPM0N4D90WB1Q69KUKHJSAQV
  • Story Text: Albanian authorities are continuing to clean up after a blast in a military depot which resulted in 12,000 tons of munitions exploding.
    One man was killed and four seriously injured in the blasts, in the village of Dhemelan, on Saturday (May 6).
    Besnik Imeri is one of the workers.
    "I was inside the warehouse when the fire broke out. I don't remember how I got out," he said.
    "I knocked into the wall. We walked over the munitions cases. We covered ourselves with our coats and didn't see anything else. One of us was burned alive, while four others were seriously injured," Imeri added.
    The ammunition was being held in warehouses, in readiness for it to be destroyed. The explosions continued for many hours as authorities warned villagers to evacuate the area. It was reported that some took refuge in tunnels to escape the fallout.
    On Sunday (April 7), explosions continued, while villagers inspected the damage to their homes. Many found shells in their houses and gardens.
    The Defence Ministry said the five kilometre area is still dangerous as fires are still burning, and shells and missiles have spread a great distance.
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