AlbaniaElbasan Chokes in Toxic Smoke
The Albanian city of Elbasan has been plagued by environmental disasters, with a recent fire at a chrome factory releasing 318 tonnes of toxic industrial dust. The city's history of pollution has been exacerbated by corruption and graft.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
For several days this summer, the city of Elbasan was engulfed in a dense cloud of stinging smoke from its notorious steelworks. Environmental inspectors discovered 318 tonnes of toxic industrial dust stored at a chrome factory, AlbChrome, with no contracts for its treatment or safe disposal.
The site, owned by the Turkish group Yildirim, was temporarily shut down. This is the latest in a series of environmental disasters to affect Elbasan, which has been plagued by pollution since the 1970s when Chairman Mao's China helped Albania's communist dictator Enver Hoxha build a steel complex.
The people of Elbasan have suffered from environmental crimes, with the city becoming a symbol of corruption in Albania's transition to capitalism. An incinerator scheme intended to clean up the ecological catastrophe turned out to be a multi-million-dollar scam, with top officials including an environment minister jailed for graft.
A fire in July 2025 at a waste dump next to homes outside Elbasan led to toxic concentrations of furans, dioxins, methane, and volatile organic compounds. Professor Besnik Baraj of Albania's Academy of Sciences said these concentrations were more than seven times above safety limits.
Local resident Fatmira Serjani recalled the 'terrible nights and crushing mornings' during the fire, saying she almost died from a severe asthma attack. The repeated environmental failures and frauds may slow Albania's hopes of joining the European Union in 2030, analysts warn.
Environment agency officials are accused by anti-corruption prosecutors of being involved in trafficking toxic waste from Elbasan. The Elbasan incinerator operated for only a few months, with waste piling up without being treated.
The country's former deputy prime minister is on the run, and the environment minister was jailed for graft. The corruption and environmental disasters have taken a toll on the health of Elbasan's residents, with many suffering from respiratory problems.
Key facts
- 318 tonnes of toxic industrial dust were stored at a chrome factory in Elbasan
- The site was temporarily shut down after the discovery
- Elbasan has been plagued by pollution since the 1970s
- An incinerator scheme turned out to be a multi-million-dollar scam
Three perspectives
Neutral
The situation in Elbasan highlights the need for effective environmental regulation and anti-corruption measures. The city's residents are calling for action to address the pollution and health problems. The European Union's stance on Albania's membership bid will be closely watched.
Positive
The temporary shutdown of the chrome factory and the investigation into corruption are steps towards addressing the environmental disasters in Elbasan. The city's residents are hopeful that the government will take concrete actions to improve their living conditions.
Negative
The corruption and environmental disasters in Elbasan are a stark reminder of the country's failure to transition to a functional democracy. The health problems faced by the city's residents are a direct result of the government's inaction and corruption.
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