TIRANA, Nov 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rescuers are searching the rubble of buildings in Albania, where a strong earthquake killed 20 people and injured 600 on Tuesday.
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.
Tents have been set up for those left homeless by the disaster.
Prime Minister Edi Rama promised that rescuers would “continue to search patiently and thoroughly to the end”.
The government has declared Wednesday a day of mourning.
The European Commission said it had deployed rescue teams from Italy, Greece and Romania to help with the search efforts, while teams were also sent from Kosovo and Montenegro.
Tuesday’s earthquake has been described by the authorities as the strongest to hit Albania in decades.
The Balkans is in an area prone to seismic activity.
In 1979, a magnitude 6.9 quake hit Albania leaving 136 dead and more than 1,000 injured.
