Minister Says Residents Free To Build, But At Gerdec Explosion Crater

TIRANA, Aug 19 – Defense Minister Gazmend Oketa said residents residing near the March 15 explosion in Gerdec and Marqinet are now free to build new homes.
The only place not allowed for building was in the crater of the explosion, which killed 26 and injured 300 people. It also destroyed or damaged some 5,500 homes in the area.
During a trip to the area Tuesday, the minister said that new explosions from hidden shells were not likely.
Oketa said that the crater was some 800 hectares and remained highly dangerous since unexploded ordnance could still be there.
The minister also handed over the former building and area where the tank unit was housed to be used by the Vora town hall for a school there.
The army was still working to build an infrastructure in the area.