An explosion involving explosive material in a moving vehicle shook Gjirokastër and ended with one fatality. Beqir Devolli, 45, who was behind the wheel at the time of the blast, did not survive his injuries while being transported to the Trauma Hospital in Tirana, while a 26-year-old traveling with him was injured.
The victim died during transport
According to the official version, the Mercedes-Benz vehicle was hit by the explosion in the middle of the city, injuring the driver and the passenger. Devolli was urgently sent to Tirana, but died in the ambulance.
Police identified the victim by the initials B.D., 45, a resident of Gjirokastër. His full identity, Beqir Devolli, was later made public.
A young man was injured, out of danger for his life
The vehicle’s passenger, a 26-year-old from Gjirokastër, was also injured in the explosion. According to the police’s preliminary information, he is in hospital and out of danger for his life.
Authorities also clarified that the injured man had initially been identified with different initials, but was later reported as E.M., 26.
The circumstances and possible target are being verified
The investigation has focused on the dynamics of the explosion and on identifying the perpetrator or perpetrators. At this stage, there is no consolidated public version regarding the motive for the attack.
According to preliminary information circulating in the investigation, one possible target of the attack may have been Mela, but this remains to be verified.
One lead is linked to a 2025 incident
One of the leads being examined is connected to an earlier incident, as in 2025 Mela’s vehicle, according to preliminary information, had been set on fire.
For the moment, there is no confirmation whether the two episodes are linked to each other. This is precisely one of the issues the investigative team is trying to clarify.
Police say the investigation is continuing for the legal documentation of the case, as well as for the identification and capture of the suspected perpetrator or perpetrators.
The incident once again raises questions about security and explosive attacks in urban areas, while concrete answers about the motive and the target of the attack are still lacking.