Ethnic Albanian political leaders from Macedonia went to the Albanian port city of Durres, which was hardest hit by the devastating earthquake on Tuesday morning. DUI party leader Ali Ahmeti and his officials Talat Xhaferi, Bujar Osmani and others met with Albanian President Ilir Meta at one of the sites where rescuers are still working to recover potential survivors and bodies.

This is an important demonstration of solidarity between our two countries and of our cooperation in times of emergency. I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to President Pendarovski, Prime Minister Zaev and all other political representatives from “North” Macedonia who were with us from the start in this great catastrophe, said President Meta.

Meanwhile the death toll rose to 46 confirmed fatalities. Search for survivals in Thumen has stopped, while in Durres, one 33 year old man was recovered alive yesterday, and the search for others continues. Macedonian rescuers sent to Albania helped recover a number of bodies so far.