Northwest Albania was hit by a powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake, with an epicenter 16 kilometers west-southwest of Mamurras, at 03:54 CET (UTC +1) on 26 November 2019.
Eleven municipalities were affected, including two of the largest and most populous, such as Tirana and Durrës. The consequences were also felt in the municipalities of Shijak, Kruja, Kamza, Kavaja, Kurbin, Lezha, Rrogozhina and Mirdita.
In terms of magnitude, this was the largest earthquake that has hit Albania in more than forty years.
Damage was recorded mainly in the city of Durrës and the village of Kodër-Thumana, which are located near the epicenter of the earthquake. Two hotels and two palaces collapsed in Durrës. Four buildings, including a 5-storey building, collapsed in Koder-Thumanë which was hit hardest by the earthquake.The quake was followed by aftershocks that shook structures damaged during the quake and caused fear among citizens.
Consequently a number of houses were no longer habitable. Hundreds of Albanian soldiers and about 2.000 police officers were sent to the quake-hit areas. They were tasked with assisting in search-and-rescue operations, as well as setting up tents and shelter camps for homeless people. 300 emergency tents were set up near the stadium in Durrës and Thumanë to house about 1.000 people.
According to official information, 51 people lost their lives - 25 in Durrës, 25 in Thumana and 1 in Lezhë. Among the victims were 10 children aged 2-10 years. After the earthquake, 2 people from Kurbin lost their lives, one from injuries and the other ended his life due to post-traumatic stress.