Defense minister quits after 16 die
Albania’s defense minister resigned two days after a series of explosions at a weapons depot near the capital, Tirana, killed at least 16 people and injured nearly 300 others.
Fatmir Mediu stepped down after the main opposition Socialist Party demanded that he and conservative Prime Minister Sali Berisha resign over the blasts.
The prime minister rejected calls for his own resignation, accusing opponents of seeking political gain.
The blasts began Saturday and continued for 14 hours, raining artillery shells on nearby villages and destroying more than 300 homes.
The prime minister has said the explosions were an accident that occurred during work to destroy ammunition stockpiled during Albania’s communist past.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
