Explosion at Sarandë gas station / Sparks from “troko” suspected of igniting residual vapors, 39-year-old expected to be airlifted to Tirana

An explosion at a gas station in Sarandë has left two people injured. Fatmir Pema, 39, who suffered burns to his body, is in very serious condition and is expected to be transported by helicopter to Tirana.

The other injured person is 27-year-old Florian Bica.

The incident occurred around midday today at a gas station along “Skënderbeu” Street. According to preliminary information, the gas station had been closed for around three months, while the two employees were on the premises carrying out maintenance work and preparing it to resume operations.

At the time of the explosion, the employees were using a cutting device known as a “troko.” The initial suspicion is that sparks produced while it was being used may have ignited volatile materials that had remained on the premises, subsequently causing the explosion. However, the exact cause will be determined after the authorities’ investigations.

Medical sources said that Fatmir Pema has burns on his body and that his health condition is very serious. For this reason, it has been decided that he will be transported to Tirana for more specialized treatment. Large numbers of police officers and firefighters arrived at the scene, while investigations are continuing.