[Translation prepared by Business & Human Rights Centre]

Workers injured in two mining accidents in Bulqiza and Martanesh, 30 May 2025

Two accidents at the chrome mines in Bulqiza and Martanesh have brought the lack of safety in the mining sector back into focus...

I.D., 40, was injured in Martanesh...police reported the incident today. They told the media that “The 40‑year‑old man injured his leg while working” and “He is in hospital and out of danger.”

Similarly, 24 hours late, the police reported...accident, which occurred in the Bulqiza galleries, where A.N., 40, was injured. The police said that he was hit by a mass of rocks while underground, but that he is currently in hospital without life‑threatening injuries.

Accidents in the mining sector have been frequent in recent days.

...Saimir Bego, 57, a miner, lost his life in the Katjel mine in Përrenjas. He was caught in a mining mass that broke away in the gallery where he was working.

At the beginning of May...29‑year‑old Ardit Beshiri, a worker at the chrome enrichment factory in the Bulqiza area, was declared missing. His body was found after several days of searching, while family members accused authorities of negligence and lack of logistics.

More than 65 workers have lost their lives in the last two years, most in the mining and construction sectors—the sectors with the most serious violations of occupational safety standards...

Most accidents are related to the lack of controls by institutions, technical supervision, the depreciated conditions of galleries, logistics, or the lack of safety equipment and training.