Explosion at Kosovo thermo central

The Kosovo authorities have not given an official declaration for the tragedy, but Top Channel’s staff on the terrain has confirmed the number of victims.

The explosion took place in the first hours of this morning, and the Director of Services at the Kosovo Energy Corporation specified that the explosion took place at the electrolysis department. The causes are yet to be investigated.

The police has surrounded the area for at least two kilometers, fearing a second explosion since the flames might get close to two other deposits.

The Minister of Energy, Fadil Ismajli, declared that there is no danger for a second explosion, and declared that they are working to find the cause. Unofficial sources say that the explosion might be due to a human error, the misplacement of a gas cylinder one night ago.

The Kosovo University Clinic declared that some of the wounded they are treating are in serious conditions.

The Prishtina Municipality has made available all of its resources for the Obliqi commune. The Emergency Center declared that they have responded to several calls and they are ready to help the Obliqi commune and the Energy Corporation with the situation.

The Coroners Department Director, Arsim Gerxhaliu, visited the explosion site but did not confirm any death.

KEDS, the company that manages the Kosovo energy network expressed their condolences for the victims and their readiness to help with the tragey.

Prime Minister Hashim Thaci interrupted his electoral meetings and traveled to Obliq, where he declared that the experts have not given a final report about the number of victims.

All other parties have canceled their electoral meetings, while President Atifete Jahjaga visited the injured at the Prishtina hospital, where she expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and demanded an investigation for finding the cause of this tragedy, so that it can be avoided in the future.

The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, reacted on his social networks by expressing his condolences to the relatives of the victims. The Democratic Party leader and former Prime Minister Sali Berisha also gave condelence messages.

Top Channel’s correspondent in Kosovo Valdete Osmani, declared that the authorities are working to isolate the danger area and that authorities suspect for five victims inside the explosion perimeter. Confirmed sources have told that six workers were inside in the moment of explosion.

Top Channel