A fire at a hotel in the Lungomare area of Vlora has left several holidaymakers injured, including citizens of Kosovo. While the publicly reported toll has contained discrepancies, the reaction of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti confirms that authorities in Pristina have contacted Albanian institutions over the case.
Kurti’s reaction after the incident in Vlora
In a Facebook post, Albin Kurti wished the injured a speedy recovery and said authorities are closely monitoring the condition of Kosovo citizens involved in the incident.
According to his statement, four citizens of the Republic of Kosovo were injured in the fire, three of whom are receiving hospital treatment in Tirana and one in Vlora. He added that there is ongoing communication with the relevant authorities in Albania.
The number of injured remains unclear
The data made public so far do not fully match. Kurti’s reaction mentions four injured people from Kosovo, while reports on the incident speak of six holidaymakers injured in the hotel fire.
According to the reported information, five injured people were transported to Tirana for treatment, while one young woman is in serious condition, with burns over most of her body.
Holidaymakers jumped from balconies to escape the flames
The incident has taken on serious proportions also because of the way the holidaymakers tried to escape. Some of them were forced to jump from balconies to escape the flames and smoke.
At this stage, no further full clarifications have been made public about the circumstances of the fire, the safety measures at the hotel, or the institutional responsibilities for overseeing them.
The incident raises serious questions about safety standards in accommodation facilities during the tourist season, especially in areas with a high flow of holidaymakers such as the Lungomare of Vlora.
For the moment, the official version published is limited to the number of injured and their medical treatment.