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Albania: Powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake hits Tirana Albania hit by powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake
(about 1 hour later)
A 6.4 magnitude earthquake has hit Albania, bringing down buildings and leaving people trapped under rubble.A 6.4 magnitude earthquake has hit Albania, bringing down buildings and leaving people trapped under rubble.
At least six people have died. One man died after jumping from a window in panic, a defence ministry spokeswoman confirmed. At least nine people have died. One man was killed after jumping from a window in panic, a defence ministry spokeswoman said.
The quake hit 34 km (21 miles) northwest of the capital, Tirana, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The quake hit 34km (21 miles) north-west of the capital, Tirana, in the early hours of Tuesday.
It was felt across the region, in Italy and in the Serbian city of Novi Sad, almost 700 km away. Hours later, a separate earthquake struck the city of Mostar in Bosnia. There were no reports of casualties.
Prime Minister Edi Rama wrote on Twitter: "We have victims. We are working to do everything possible in the affected areas." Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama wrote on Twitter: "We have victims. We are working to do everything possible in the affected areas."
An Albanian government spokesperson says more than 300 people have received medical help in Tirana and Durres. Schools will be closed for the day. More than 600 people have been treated in hospital, Albanian state media reported, including more than 300 in Tirana and in the coastal city of Durres.
Schools will be closed for the day.
Emergency workers told Albanian media that one of the dead was an elderly woman who had managed to save her grandson by cradling him with her body.Emergency workers told Albanian media that one of the dead was an elderly woman who had managed to save her grandson by cradling him with her body.
A defence ministry spokeswoman confirmed firefighters and army staff were helping residents caught under the rubble in the coastal city of Durres, where three were killed. The defence ministry spokeswoman confirmed firefighters and army staff were helping residents caught under the rubble in Durres, where four people were killed.
Two of those who died were in the town of Thumane, 40km to the north west of Tirana and close to the epicentre of the earthquake. There were fears that more people were trapped under rubble. Three of those who died were in the town of Thumane, 40km to the north-west of Tirana and close to the epicentre. There are fears more people are trapped under rubble.
The man who died when jumping from a balcony was killed further north in Kurbin. The man who jumped from the balcony was killed further north, in Kurbin. Another person died in Lezha.
A man in Durres told local news channel News24 that his daughter and niece were among those trapped inside a collapsed apartment building.A man in Durres told local news channel News24 that his daughter and niece were among those trapped inside a collapsed apartment building.
"I talked with my daughter and niece on the phone. They said they are well and waiting for the rescue. Could not talk to my wife. There are other families, but I could not talk to them.""I talked with my daughter and niece on the phone. They said they are well and waiting for the rescue. Could not talk to my wife. There are other families, but I could not talk to them."
Rescuers in the city were seen trying to free a young boy trapped in the rubble.Rescuers in the city were seen trying to free a young boy trapped in the rubble.
There have been a number of aftershocks, including one of 5.3 magnitude, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said. The Balkans is in an area prone to seismic activity. There have been a number of aftershocks, including one of 5.3 magnitude, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said.
Tuesday's earthquake has been described by authorities as the strongest to hit Albania in 20-30 years. 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 one thousand injured. Tuesday's earthquake has been described by authorities as the strongest to hit Albania in three decades.
In 1979, a magnitude 6.9 quake hit Albania leaving 136 dead and more than 1,000 injured.
Have you been affected by the earthquake? If it is safe to do so you can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the earthquake? If it is safe to do so you can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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