Serious in Jablanica/ Building collapses, three minors lose their lives

2025-02-02 11:13:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Three children died on Saturday in the village of Jabllanicë, Gjakova, as a result of the collapse of an old building.

According to the daily report of the Kosovo Police, the building collapsed under unknown circumstances, while three boys, two 15 years old and one 14 years old, were inside when they were hit by the slab.

Kosovo Police Major Milazim Lumi told local media in Kosovo that the collapsed building was an old, uninhabited building left over from the 1999 war in Kosovo.

Police said they arrived at the scene, while the medical team confirmed the children's death and their bodies were sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for autopsy.

The victims' relative, Përparim Ademaj, told local media on Sunday that the young people had gone out a few hours before the incident to play together, while family members discovered that they had been in the ruined building from the vibrations of their phones, while they were searching for them in the surrounding area.

According to him, cameras from nearby houses show that the uninhabited building collapsed at around 4:35 p.m. on Saturday, while the bodies of the victims were found after almost four hours.

"The police, ambulances, firefighters arrived very quickly. We found them with no signs of life," he said.

The President of Kosovo expressed her most sincere condolences to the families for the incident, which she called tragic.

"There are no words that can ease the pain of families who are today facing the endless void left behind by the loss of their loved ones," Osmani said in a Facebook post.

The Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca, has called for a thorough investigation into the case.

Other political figures have also called for investigations.

The Mayor of Gjakova, Ardian Gjini, said he was shocked by the news of the death of three children, and offered his condolences to the families.

"Let's do everything we can to be with the families in these difficult times!" he said in a Facebook post.

The Mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, expressed condolences to the families and said that the capital is ready to offer any possible assistance to the Municipality of Gjakova.

"Such a tragedy reminds us of our shared responsibility to create a safer environment for all! Sincere condolences to all their families, friends and relatives," Rama said on Facebook.

Many senior political figures in Kosovo have expressed regret over the incident. /REL