Fires trap residents: Women and children plead for help amid smoke and panic

Massive wildfires sweeping through several mountainous areas of the Gramsh district have escalated into a full-scale civil emergency. For days, flames have been spreading rapidly across the territory of the Skënderbegas administrative unit, with the villages of Kullollas and Bletëz among the hardest hit.

According to the latest reports from the ground, the fires have begun to reach homes in these villages, creating an extremely alarming situation for residents. Thick smoke and difficult terrain have made ground intervention nearly impossible, blocking access for ambulances, firefighters, and emergency crews. As a result, many residents are trapped within the danger zone, while some have refused to leave their homes, putting their lives at risk.

Women and children have been seen in a state of panic, while urgent evacuation calls from authorities have not been heeded by everyone. Local emergency forces have launched a full-scale evacuation operation for the Skënderbegas administrative unit in an effort to prevent loss of life.

To tackle the crisis, Armed Forces units have been deployed to the area to assist in evacuation efforts and in attempts to contain the wildfire hotspots. At the same time, firefighting helicopters have been engaged for aerial intervention, as ground operations are severely limited.

The Minister of the Interior and the Director General of Civil Emergencies have headed to the area to closely monitor the operation and coordinate actions among various state structures. Authorities have called for full cooperation from citizens, urging them to comply with evacuation orders and not to risk their lives by staying in affected areas.

Meanwhile, there have been reports of a woman with two children trapped on a farm near the fire zone, who issued an urgent plea for help via social media. There is still no official confirmation of fatalities, but there are suspicions of one victim, which will be verified once the operation concludes and the flames are fully extinguished.

After the situation is brought under control, a detailed assessment of material damage will be carried out. Preliminary sources indicate the losses are considerable, due to the destruction of homes, orchards, and large areas of vegetation.

“KORÇA BOOM”