Northern Albania was struck last night by an earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the seismic jolt was located 12 km from the northern city of Puka, at a depth of 10 km. Tremors were felt in several cities across the country, including the capital, Tirana.

Context

Albania is situated in a region of high seismic activity due to its geographical position between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. This positioning makes it susceptible to earthquakes of varying intensities.

The most powerful recent earthquake occurred on November 26, 2019, with a magnitude of 6.4. The epicenter was near the coast of Durres. The seismic waves devastated numerous buildings and structures, resulting in 51 fatalities and over 3,000 injuries.

The earthquake of November 2019 remains a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability to seismic events, prompting ongoing efforts to strengthen infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.

Local authorities are currently assessing the impact of the recent earthquake on affected areas.