Tirana removes tons of toxic chemicals removed from old military facility

Environmental specialists, police and forces from the defence ministry on Friday successfully removed tons of hazardous chemicals from a former military chemical factory in Tirana, Albanian news agency (ANA) reported. The dangerous toxic chemicals had been kept in a two-storey building, where an old military facility located, for more than 20 years, posing serious danger to local residents and the environment, according to ATA, citing Albanian Ministry of Environment as the source. Given the nature of the contents, the operation was conducted under tight security measures, with local residents being evacuated from their home to a safe area in the early morning. During the five hours operation, the hazardous substances were packed and safely removed from the facility, while the area was totally disinfected. Tons of hazardous chemicals will be repackaged, safely stored and prepared for shipment and destruction at chemical disposal facilities abroad.