Albania has been hit by a series of seismic tremors in recent days. Seismologist Edmond Dushi said in a TV interview with Euronews Albania that the series of earthquakes was a serious but not unusual part of the country’s tectonic activity. “It is normal seismic activity for our region, but the population should remain vigilant,” Dushi said.

According to the news portal Gazeta Express, an earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale was recorded near the capital Tirana on Wednesday evening. The epicenter was near Fushë-Krujë, north of Tirana. Shortly afterwards, two more smaller tremors followed, which were also clearly felt.

One day later, on Thursday morning, another stronger quake shook the region around Patos, in southern Albania. According to Gazeta Express, it was a 5.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred at a depth of only 5 kilometers. The European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) confirmed the magnitude and location of the quake.

Dushi warned that aftershocks were not only possible but likely after such an event. “There may be further movements in the next few days; this is a natural process of stress release,” the seismologist explained to Euronews Albania.

Albania lies on a seismically active zone between the Adriatic and Eurasian plates, which explains the regular earthquakes. The country has been hit by severe earthquakes in the past, most recently in 2019, when a 6.4-magnitude earthquake claimed several lives and damaged thousands of buildings.

The authorities are currently urging caution, even though no major damage has been reported so far. The population is asked to heed disaster control instructions and have emergency plans ready.