Massive earthquake in Albania kills 15

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Tirana,Albania

At least 15 people were killed when a powerfull earthquake hit Albania today,destroying buildings and burying people under the rubble.
It was was smoke and fog and it smelled like dust.People were screaming and crying and more earthquakes came after that,she said as she watched workers removing rubble to help survivors.

REUTERS

UPDATE
It's now reported as a 6.4 magnitude earthquake.

I lived through a major earthquake when I lived in California. Most construction in the U.S. is wood frame construction. Wood had two important properties for earthquakes. First it is somewhat light material. And second it is somewhat flexible. It will bend. As a result, earthquakes tend to be less destructive. In some parts of the world, houses are constructed with concrete block, brick, stone and cement. These lack the properties of wood. When a non reinforced concrete or stone wall collapses on you, death is commonly the result. Not so much with wood. Therefore in some parts of the world where this type of construction is used the death tool can be much greater even for minor earthquakes.

UPDATE

Death toll has now hit 21

UPDATE

Death toll has now hit 40.

UPDATE

The Albanian prime minister's future daughter in-law was among those killed in the earthquake.