Driver dies after car explodes in Gjirokastër, Albanian police say
The explosion on 18 Shtatori boulevard injured two men initially; police later confirmed the driver died while being taken to hospital.
A driver died after a car exploded as it travelled through the southern Albanian city of Gjirokastër on Saturday night, police said in a subsequent update reported by Euronews Albania. A passenger who was injured in the blast survived and was described as being out of danger. Police are investigating what caused the explosion.
The incident happened at about 22:00 on 10 October on 18 Shtatori boulevard. BalkanWeb reported an initial police statement saying a Mercedes-Benz car had exploded while moving along the street, injuring two people. Both were taken for medical treatment. Police initially said they had not established the cause.
Subsequent police information reported by Euronews Albania said the driver died during transfer to Tirana for medical treatment. The other occupant, aged 26, remained in hospital but was no longer in life-threatening condition. Reports by BalkanWeb, Insajderi and Dukagjini separately confirmed the driver's death after the initial injury reports.
Investigators suspect an explosive device may have been placed in the vehicle, Euronews Albania reported. That remains a line of investigation rather than a confirmed finding. Earlier reporting by Indeksonline said the blast was being examined as a possible targeted attack, but police had not publicly determined the motive in the supplied statements.
BalkanWeb said the vehicle was in motion when the explosion occurred. Indeksonline reported that it exploded near a courthouse and came to a stop in front of a police building. The available material does not describe damage to either building or injuries to bystanders, and no broader public-safety warning is recorded.
Police investigators were sent to the scene to examine evidence and determine the exact cause, according to BalkanWeb. Euronews Albania reported that investigators were working to identify and locate anyone responsible if the blast was deliberately caused. No arrest or formally identified suspect is confirmed in the reporting.
The initial two-injured figure and the later one-death, one-injured figure are successive updates concerning the same vehicle explosion. No other casualty figures have been combined with this incident. The case remains under investigation.
What we know
- 2+ outlets · BalkanWeb, Indeksonline +3 A car exploded while moving along 18 Shtatori boulevard in Gjirokastër.
- Official · police Police initially reported two injured occupants.
- Official · police Police later confirmed the driver died during transfer for treatment.
- 2+ outlets · BalkanWeb, Euronews Albania The surviving passenger was reported to be out of danger.
- 1 outlet · BalkanWeb Investigators have not announced a final cause.
Not yet confirmed
- Unconfirmed Whether an explosive device was deliberately planted in the car.
- Unconfirmed The motive and identity of anyone responsible.
How each fact is established: Verified checked by an ECTV editorOfficial stated by an official body2+ outlets reported independently by two or more news organisations1 outlet reported by a single news organisation so farUnconfirmed claimed or reportedHow we label facts
Why it matters for Europe
The blast occurred on a central boulevard while the car was moving, prompting an investigation into a possible deliberate explosive attack. Police have not established the cause or announced any arrests, so the reported assassination theory must remain attributed rather than treated as fact.
Sources
Reported by 5 reports from 5 independent outlets in 2 countries.
- BalkanWeb: Shpërthimi i automjetit në Gjirokastër, reagon policia: Plagosen dy persona
- Indeksonline: Eksplodon një veturë në Gjirokastër, dyshohet për atentat
- BalkanWeb: Shpërthimi i makinës në Gjirokastër! Ndërron jetë një prej të plagosurve (Emri)
- BalkanWeb: Atentati me shpërthim në Gjirokastër! Policia jep detaje mbi rastin: 45 vjeçari ndërroi jetë gjatë transportimit drejt Tiranës
- Euronews Albania: Humb jetën Beqir Devolli pas shpërthimit të tritolit në Gjirokastër, pasagjeri 26-vjeçar jashtë rrezikut për jetën
Source balance
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Questions and answers
- How many people died in the Gjirokastër explosion?
- Albanian police confirmed the driver died after initially being injured.
- Was anyone else injured?
- A passenger was injured and later reported to be out of danger.
- Was it a deliberate attack?
- Investigators are examining that possibility, but the cause has not been confirmed.
This article was written with AI assistance from 8 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.