TIRANA, Aug. 6 – Albanian authorities have expressed their condolences and are assessing how they can help, after several people died in flash floods this week the Macedonian town of Tetovo, which is mostly inhabited by ethnic Albanians.
President Bujar Nishani called and spoke with the Tetovo Mayor Teuta Arifi on Wednesday, expressing the sympathies of the the Albanian people over the loss in human lives and homes.
Albanian Ambassador Fatos Reka visited Tetovo on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s instructions following this week’s deadly flash floods to assess the situation. He met with Mayor Arifi, extending his condolences to the families of victims and pledging Albanian government assistance to deal with the aftermath of the floods.
The Albanian government said it would donate €50,000 to Tetovo.
Flash floods in Tetovo killed at least four people, including three children, and injured dozens more this week after torrential rains also led to mudslides that engulfed the city itself and nearby villages.
More than 200 houses in the area were damaged as well as several roads, bridges and many vehicles, official said.
Wednesday and Thursday were declared days of mourning in Tetovo.
