02.06.09
Explosion at Gerdec
15th of March 2008 marked one of the most tragic peace time incidences, of recent times.
A massive explosion at an arms depot outside of Albania’s capital Tirana caused unmitigated damage to the area, completely leveling the village of Gerdec, leaving a gargantuan crater of some 50 meters wide and 30 metres deep.
The initial blast ignited several fires after which followed a series of other explosions, causing increased danger to local people and their surroundings.
Kenn Underwood, MD of Explosive and Ordnance Demilitarisation Solutions Ltd (EODS) and members of his team were working on other operations in Albania, at the time. They were happily relaxing and chatting over lunch, when they heard a loud explosion some distance away. The team were surprised at hearing the blast and so surmised as to what it could be, when a second more violent explosion occurred, setting off car alarms in the street outside.
Now with growing concerns for the local populace, Kenn and his team, decided to investigate further. Leaving lunch half eaten, they headed for the nearest TV to tune in to a local television station. They were soon to have indication as to the enormity of the incident, as the entire news programme was dedicated to reports of explosions at the ammunition factory in Gerdec.
Being based in Tirana, a town only 18 kilometres distance away from the blasts, EODS professional instincts kicked in, knowing how incidents of this nature can be time critical to both community and environment, they immediately informed the Department of State (DoS) in the US of the incident, who enquired if there was anything they could do to assist.
The DoS then instructed EODS to investigate how the US DoS could assist in the clear up by a hands on evaluation of the incident.
Only after a site investigation had taken place, could a full appraisal of the impact and ramification of the explosions be realised.
From that moment everything went into high gear. Within hours, a plan to assist was generated and sent to the DoS. Within two days representatives from the DoS were in Albania looking at the site and the horrific damage the explosion had caused.
After meetings with the Albanian Government, Ministry of Defence and other organisations it was decided to use the services of EODS. This was because EODS were best placed to undertake the clean up operation, as they were already working on other operations in the area and had first hand knowledge of the ammunition involved.
When all parties had confirmed their support and technical agreement signed, planning the operation began.
It was noted that the quick response and detailed proposal submitted was the driving force of the funding and operational outline of the clear up operation. It was fortuitous that the EODS team was in the country carrying out another demilitarisation project to destroy 15000 tons of ammunition at the time.
Kenn (who works closely with clients from the highest of government officials to the workers on the ground) and EODS Head of Operations John Napolitano are pleased that they were so close to hand to be able to assist and are equally proud of the company’s unblemished safety record.
Kenn explains, “Remnants of war cause injury and immense suffering to those people who live every day with these hazards. We are proud that by safely clearing stockpiles of weapons and ammunition we reach our main objective; to make the world a safer place.”
