TIRANA, May 11- On Friday evening, the defense ministry announced that Major Klodian Tanushi, the commander of the Albanian contingent at the NATO base in Latvia, passed away in the hospital.
Major Tanushi had suffered severe injuries during the blast which also injured Sergeant Julian Kapaj and killed Second Lieutenant Zarife Hasanaj.
He was originally hospitalized at the Camp Adazi base hospital, and then transferred to receive more specialized treatment at the Riga East University Hospital.
Shortly after the news were out, Defense Minister Olta Xhaà§ka wrote on Facebook that “more painful news comes from Latvia. The commander of the Albanian contingent in the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence mission Major Klodian Tanushi lost the last battle for his life a few moments ago. With heart and soul we are close to his family, wife and three children in this day of mourning. All of us who had the luck to know him will miss him as much as they will.”
President Ilir Meta was also “shocked by the bitter news of the separation from the life of Commander of the Albanian Military Contingent in the NATO mission to Latvia, Major Klodian Tanushi. In these very difficult moments for the Tanushi family, my heart is close to his wife and three children, expressing the most sincere condolences! You will forever remain in our mind and our heart, Klodi, our friend!”
The news of Tanushi’s death came on the day the country declared national mourning to honor the memorial of 32-year-old Hasanaj, who was proclaimed Martyr of Homeland.
Her body was brought from Latvia on Thursday, while a ceremony was held in Tirana yesterday. Family, relatives, colleagues and the country’s highest state and political authorities paid homage to the military coffin. President Ilir Meta said that “her fall in office is a testimony of the commitment of our Armed Forces and of Albania in every NATO engagement and mission.”
Lieutenant Hasanaj and Major Tanushi lost their lives during a training at NATO base in Latvia. The effectiveness of the Albanian Army had the duty of reclamation of an area where a day ago artillery shots were conducted. Learned that they have encountered some unexpected shells, one of which has exploded in the still unclear circumstances.
