Another death in the chrome mine

06/06/2008

Albanian bloggers reflect on an ongoing safety problem.

By Klodjan Seferaj for Southeast European Times in Tirana – 06/06/08

The mine in Bulqiza has been the site of several fatal accidents. [AFP]

Albania's ferrochrome mine at Bulqiza has taken on a grim nickname -- people now call it the "mine of death", due to the several lives it has claimed. In May, 24-year-old Novruz Gjoka became the ninth person to die there.

Prior to that, in February, 53-year-old Njazi Aliu died after a massive pile of dirt caved in on him.

After each new incident, pledges to improve safety conditions come from the government and the contractors running the mine. Yet the accidents continue. Blogging at briskut, Blendi discusses the tragedy.

"Another person has died in the mine of death," Blendi writes. "It seems as though the life of a Bulqiza miner is not worth more than his weight ... in chrome."

According to an Albtoday article posted on the blog, a miners' union has twice gone to the authorities to report on the dangerous conditions. But the official reaction has been "really weak", it says, because the government sold off Albania's mines as concessions to various companies, foreign and local.

Perparimi comments: "I followed with deep heartache the tragedy of those people, and I am getting nervous with this government but also with the opposition, which is still sleeping. Those lives are being lost in such a silly and casual way -- it reminds me of a couplet by Fan Noli: they leave as easily/as a man touches his ear.

Writing at peshkupauje, meanwhile, Kaso chides Albania's political leaders for their handling of recovery efforts after the Gerdec munitions blast. While crews rebuild homes, refugees shuttle from one temporary place to another.

"Not for the first time, our political class is showing to the world that it doesn't demonstrate the highest ethical standards but rather is below the average level of the people," Kaso writes. "Instead of trying to build the rule of law and functioning at the service of the people, it is demonstrating disregard for the law."

"For it, citizens represent some amorphous species that is needed only for electoral meetings, applause and the ballot box," he concludes.

Commenting on the post, Anonim poses a question. "Can you explain why this old nation, with all its unique qualities, can't create the conditions for a comfortable life? Why do we have these kinds of politicians? We don't want to believe they are what we deserve."