An earthquake with a preliminary rating of 6.4 magnitude has struck Albania on Tuesday, killing at least six people and injuring 325 others.
The epicenter of the earthquake was discovered in the port city of Durres, around 13 miles from the capital city of Tirana. During the earthquake in Albania, one person died after jumping in panic from the balcony of a building while three were killed in the village of Thumane.
Emergency workers claimed that one of those who died was an elderly woman who managed to save her grandson by shielding him with her body. The cause of death for the two other casualties are yet to be determined. At least 325 people suffered injuries during the earthquake according to the country's health ministry.
Two of the deaths occurred in the town of Thumane, 40 kilometers to the north west of Tirana and close to the epicenter of the earthquake and there are reports that people were trapped under rubble.
The government has closed down schools in three of the country's cities, namely Durres, Lezhe and Tirana, until further notice.
A defense ministry spokeswoman said they have sent firefighters and army staff to help residents trapped under the rubble in Durres. A man from the coastal city said his daughter and niece were among those trapped inside a collapsed apartment building.
He said: "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."
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center has confirmed that there have been several aftershocks following earthquake, including one of 5.3 magnitude. The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake hit at an approximate depth of 20 kilometers.
The aftermath was felt across the region, in Italy and in the Serbian city of Novi Sad, almost 700 kilometers away.
