During the last weekend, the international media reported a widespread devastation in the Gerdec, populated area in vicinity with the city of Tirana. The Albanian army base, situated in the area, stocking obsolete munitions for destruction, blew up in a chain of massive blasts on Saturday killing at least 10 persons (3 women). Around 250 have been injured (children included). The authorities fear many more may have been killed in the explosions, since a minimum of 120 people were working at the time on the depot (women were among them).
The devastation was not limited to that one particular location. The succession of blasts was strong enough to shatter windows eight miles away. Vehicles travelling along the main highway between Durres and Tirana at the time of the blast had their windshields shattered. Shock tremors were felt in Tirane.
It has been reported physical injuries on a broader scale. The blast spared no one in its path and the stories of the horror are as grim as they are frightful. Most were wounded from flying shrapnel and broken glass.
Albanian newspapers described the blast as "Albania's Hiroshima" and an "Apocalyptic tragedy."
Houses have been completed ruined. Many people have lost everything- food shelter, peace, security. The blast yesterday took it all away. They have lost the will to eat, sleep, even speak. This singular occurance has yeilded a deep psycological scar.
Authorities still keep the area under supervision, since the fields of the area contain unexploded mines.
Since most of the Soroptimist members of Tirana club work in governmental bodies, they are engaged in assisting the women, children and families affected on the site.