For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid email address
SIGN UP
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice
Thanks for signing up to the
Breaking News email
{{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}
Eight people died in Albania on Tuesday when a car swerved off a mountain road into a ravine, police said.
The car fell on the rocky bank of the fast-flowing Vjosa River below a road that police say is frequently used by migrants from the Middle East and Africa to cross the Balkan country, police official Ardian Cipa told Reuters.
“The driver is from north Albania, we are trying to identify him,” Cipa said. “We believe the others are illegal migrants.”
The charred and crumpled vehicle was surrounded by at least four bodies strewn over the rocks, a Reuters witness said. Police taped off the area.
A police patrol spotted a car driving at high speed along the road in the early hours of Tuesday, but could not stop it. They later found the vehicle crashed in the ravine, Cipa said.
RECOMMENDED
Family pay tribute to ‘beautiful’ 16-year-old boy killed in farm bike crash
Undo
Charles Dance says 34-year marriage ended after he ‘succumbed to temptations’
Undo
Affordable Funerals
The Surprising Truth About Fuss-Free Funerals and Cremations In The UKAffordable Funerals| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
New Skin Discovery
Plastic Surgeon Reveals The 1 Thing Every Woman Should Be Using Instead Of MoisturiserNew Skin Discovery| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Powered by Taboola Powered by Taboola
Since 2015, Balkan countries have become key transit routes for refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Afghanistan, Asia and Africa fleeing wars and poverty to the European Union. Many use smuggling networks to help them.
Promoted stories
British Investing
How To Invest In Whisky. Own A Barrel Of WhiskyBritish Investing Read More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
In 2019, Albania became the first non-EU member country to have officers of the bloc’s border agency Frontex to manage its borders in the south and east, which migrants usually cross, and fight cross-border crime.
Last month, Albania, which is a member of NATO and aspires to join the EU, ratified a migration deal with Italy under which Rome will build migrant processing centres in the Balkan country.
More about Albania Police migrants
Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments
1/ 1Eight killed after car falls from mountain road in Albania
Eight killed after car falls from mountain road in Albania
Skiers ride down the slopes at Riffelberg with Mount Matterhorn in the background
AP
？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Subscribe
Already subscribed? Log in