GËRDEC — 2008 · Major Tragedy
The Gërdec Munitions Explosions
Around midday on 15 March 2008, a chain of explosions tore through a facility dismantling obsolete munitions in the village of Gërdec, about 14 km from Tirana. Twenty-six people died and more than 300 were injured; over 300 buildings were destroyed and more than two thousand damaged. The facility had been subcontracted to private companies for the disposal of old military ammunition, and safety measures proved grossly inadequate. The defence minister resigned two days later, and arrest warrants were issued for company officials. The disaster became a long-running political controversy in Albania over arms-trade contracts and corruption allegations.
- Date
- 2008
- Place
- Vorë, Tirana County, Albania, Gërdec, AL
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 41.3900, 19.6400 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 15 March 2008Explosions at the Gërdec munitions facility killed 26.
- 17 March 2008The defence minister resigned.
- 2008Arrest warrants were issued for company officials.
Sources
- Wikipedia — 2008 Gërdec explosions en.wikipedia.org ↗
- BBC News — Albania blasts news.bbc.co.uk ↗
- Wikipedia
- BBC News
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.