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A tragedy
with extremely grave consequences
16.03.2008
Yesterday, on March 15, 2008, the
powerful explosion of munitions in the village
of Gėrdec, Vorė Municipality, caused a number of
victims, hundreds of wounded persons, as well as
extraordinary material damage.
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC)
joins in the great pain of family members of the
victims and expresses its most sincere
condolences to them.
AHC also wants and wishes the
quick recovery of all those hurt in the
explosions and their return to their family.
In such difficult moments, the
important thing is taking urgent, efficacious,
and coordinated measures in order to reduce as
much as possible the spiritual trauma of
thousands of people as well as the incalculable
damages that have befallen them.
AHC has followed with concern and
attention the continued broadcasts of the
electronic media and expresses special
appreciation for its contribution. AHC praises
the engagement of medical personnel, the police,
and military, as well as the solidarity
demonstrated by Albanian citizens in and out of
the country.
Today, representatives of this
Committee met with hurt persons who were
hospitalized as well as many family members and
relatives of theirs. The tragic consequences
that had befallen them, the traumas they had
experienced during the tragedy, the shocking
footage from the site, the endangering of the
life and belongings of many people, call not
only for reflection, but also for a profound and
critical analysis by the Albanian Government and
its respective agencies in order to reach the
right conclusions on the causes of this
catastrophe and why it was not prevented?!
AHC is aware that the competent
agencies have initiated a criminal case. In
these conditions, AHC does not prejudice the
responsibility of none, but, as a
non-governmental organization working to protect
citizens rights, among which the right to life
is fundamental, calls on the Albanian Government
and specialized bodies that the causes of this
tragedy be clarified as soon as possible, with
objectivity and transparency for the public
opinion.
For AHC, the facts and data
related to the happening may not be left out of
attention. Some of the interviewees contacted by
AHC today expressed their profound indignation
that the armaments and the disassembling factory
were placed in a populated area. Some of the
employees of this factory said they were
untrained, unexperienced, working in the black
because of severe economic conditions. Based on
the meetings with them, we learned that during
weekends, even minors and women worked there,
although they were not aware of even the most
elementary safety rules.
For AHC, independently from
whether the employees were employed in the
public or private sector, the state is
responsible for guaranteeing their lives and
health, because labor safety and insurance laws
and sublegal acts are obligatory for all and
their enforcement requires constant control.
AHC finds that state authorities
are set into motion only when grave accidents or
tragedies take place, thus underestimating
preliminary labor safety rules. The accident of
Dhėmblan or any other were signals that the
pertinent authorities should have evaluated.
Without politicizing the issue,
AHC suggests that indispensable measures be
determined urgently in order for diassembling
and elimination of excess ammunition found in
the country no longer poses a threat for the
life and health of citizens.
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