Albania earthquake: 23 killed, 659 injured

At least 23 people have been killed, several more are missing and hundreds have been injured after an earthquake struck Albania on Tuesday, Report informs citing the Gazeta.ru.

The quake, which had a preliminary rating of 6.4 magnitude, hit the European nation at an approximate depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles) early Tuesday local time, according to the United States Geological Survey. It is the strongest to hit Albania in 40 years.

The epicenter was in the port city of Durres, about 36 kilometers from the capital Tirana. Social media videos from the area show several buildings have collapsed.

Around 45 people were rescued from the rubble, more than 650 people have received medical attention throughout the day.

It is assumed that people can still be under the rubble, the number of victims may increase. Currently, specialists are working at the scene.

Earlier, Albanian President Ilir Meta called the situation after the earthquake dramatic.