Qafa e Vishës bus accident
| Qafa e Vishës bus accident | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Date | 21 May 2012 |
| Location | Qafa e Vishës near Himarë, Albania |
| Statistics | |
| Deaths | 13 |
| Injuries | 21 |
The Qafa e Vishës bus accident occurred on 21 May 2012, at Qafa e Vishës (Albanian pronunciation: [cafa ɛ viʃəs]) near Himarë, Albania, when a bus plunged 80 metres (260 ft) off a cliff. Most of the victims were students of Aleksandër Xhuvani University of Elbasan. The driver is also believed to have been killed. The students were travelling from Elbasan to Saranda.
The bus fell into an 80-metre (262 ft) ravine off the road, according to police spokeswoman Klejda Plangarica, and a police investigation was under way. Ambulances and rescue helicopters were sent to assist the wounded and bring them to hospital, amid fears the casualty count could mount.
The Mayor of Himarë, Jorgo Goro, declared that the entire structures of the area, together with the citizens, made everything in their power to save the injured. In an interview with Top Channel. He underlined that the investigation team is taking the necessary steps into finding what caused the accident and declared that part of the road had already been repaired, though the bodies of the 11 victims are still there. An eyewitnesses told Top Channel that the local residents rushed to help the passengers that were still alive.
Albanian President Bamir Topi, who visited the Tirana Military Hospital, where some of the injured were taken, expressed his "sincere condolences" to the relatives of the victims and his regret for the accident. "The entire Albanian state has risen to help the injured." Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha sent condolences to the families of those killed from Chicago, where he was attending the 2012 NATO Chicago Summit. Socialist Party leader Edi Rama visited the hospital and donated blood for the injured, as well as expressing his deep regret for the lost lives and declaring that all Socialist controlled municipalities in southern Albania, Vlora, Orikum and Himarë were moving to help ease the situation. "A horrible tragedy has shocked our nation today. These are hours of solidarity and efforts for trying and save any human life possible. I am sure that the Military Hospital will make everything possible for saving the lives of the injured victims."
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Wikipedia