By Mihallaq Qirjo
On Saturday, March 15, 2008, at approximately 12:30 in the afternoon, multiple explosions occurred at a military ammunition depot in Gerdec, Albania, 14 kilometres from Tirana. The accident occurred during one phase of an ongoing effort to destroy old military ordnance still stockpiled in the country.
The powerful blasts sent artillery and mortar shells into and over nearby residential neighbourhoods, shattering windows and destroying homes in Gerdec, Marqinet, Marikaj and the city of Vora. The Albanian government later declared the zone a 'disaster area'.
According to government estimates, approximately 10,000 people were affected by the blasts, of which 4,000 had to be evacuated from the area. A further 678 people were temporary relocated to government-owned facilities, with many others taking refuge with friends or relatives. As of April 6, 2008, government figures list 24 dead and approximately 300 injured as a result of the accident.
As of March 2008, according to official figures from the Agency for Legalisation, Urbanisation and Integration of Informal Constructions in the Republic of Albania, a total of 4,143 houses and businesses were reported damaged. Of these, 3,835 were partially or heavily damaged, while 308 were reported destroyed.
The explosions also damaged infrastructure, such as water and power supply networks, roads, public buildings, schools, kindergartens and health centres.
Environmental consequences and priorities
Environmental assessments published by the United Nations Disaster and Coordination system (April 2008) and the Albanian Agency for Environment and Forestry (May 2008) examined the immediate, medium and long-term issues associated with the incident.
The area surrounding the factory remains a safety hazard. And even when all of the munitions are removed, the area should still be considered an environmental 'hotspot'.
The destruction of buildings and vegetation created large quantities of solid waste that need to be cleared and managed. The blast site was located on a hill slope, which drained directly into a running stream. The entire surrounding area, several square kilometres in total area, was strewn with environmental contaminants.
When the accident occurred, there was little understanding among the community or local administrators about the nature of operations being carried out at the factory, nor its associated risks or possible environmental consequences.
Spain, REC aid Vora rehabilitation effort
On April 28, 2010, a ceremony took place in Vora to inaugurate public works for environmental rehabilitation of the devastated area. Among those attending the ceremony were Spanish Ambassador to Albania Manuel Montobio and Albanian Minister of Public Works and Transport Sokol Olldashi.
The Regional Environmental Center (REC) Albania and the Municipality of Vora have made possible the rehabilitation of more than 3,000 square metres of public areas and road between villages, planted 2,700 olive trees, extended waste service with 100 collection bins, rehabilitated schoolyards and equipped schools with biology laboratories for five villages in Vora.
During the inauguration ceremony, Vora Mayor Fiqiri Ismaili thanked Ambassador Montobio on behalf of Vora's citizens for the Spanish support. Montobio acknowledged the gratitude and quality of cooperation with the municipality, saying that the citizens of Vora deserve not only a better environment, but safer and more modern social living conditions as well. On behalf of the Albanian Government, Minister Olldashi thanked the Spanish government for its multidimensional support, and expressed his government's commitment to area development.
Festivities continued at Vora Elementary School, where the dignitaries planted a tree in the schoolyard as a symbol of efforts to bring higher-quality environment and education to children in the area. The visitors then travelled to another investment area, the village of Marqinet, where reforestation of 2,700 olive trees has rehabilitated hills devastated by the 2008 accident. Montobio conversed with residents and offered olive branches as a symbol of harmony between two peoples.
Investment in Vora Municipality is implemented within the project framework of "Post Gerdec: Support for Environmental and Community Rehabilitation After the Event of March 2008", carried out by REC Albania with financial support from the Spanish government through the Spanish Agency for International Development AECID.
More information can be found at REC Albania website.
