Country mourns five teens killed in car crash

SHKODRA, Oct. 24 – Five teenage boys returning from a birthday party died this week after their car hit a truck transporting wood logs in northwestern Albania. All five were between the ages of 17 and 18.
The five teenagers were returning to their home city of Shkodra early Tuesday morning after the party when their car hit the truck at Kryebushat, at a crossroad that has often been a place of accidents in the past.
Police are investigating the causes of the accident and have detained the truck driver.
News of the deadly crash sent shock-waves in the small community to which the boys belonged, but was felt throughout the country, which suffers from a high accident rate. The tragedy was compounded, after the mother of one of the boys had a heart attack upon hearing the news.
Road experts said that the lack of traffic signs was a main point of concern in such national roads, especially at night when there is lack of visibility.
Shkodra town hall lowered flags at half-mast and declared a day of mourning. The Albanian parliament held a minute of silence before its session on Wednesday.
Officials and political leaders across Albanian sent messages of condolences to the families.
Prime Minister Edi Rama said tragic accidents like these are one more reason to fulfill the pledge of getting the country’s road network improved to make it a more secure place for drivers.