€19 Million Drainage Project Under Investigation After Severe Flooding Hits Durrës

Durrës, Albania | Chatzyr.net

Albanian prosecutors have launched an investigation into a €19 million drainage project after severe flooding submerged large parts of Durrës, raising serious questions about public spending, infrastructure quality, and possible abuse of funds.

Authorities confirmed that key project documents have been seized as part of a probe examining whether the recently completed drainage system failed due to construction flaws, mismanagement, or corruption. The investigation follows heavy rainfall that left streets underwater, damaged homes and businesses, and disrupted daily life in Albania’s second-largest city.

Flooding Sparks Prosecutorial Action

The flooding occurred after intense rainfall overwhelmed the city’s drainage network, an outcome that shocked residents given the scale and cost of the project, which was designed specifically to prevent urban flooding in Durrës.

According to official sources, prosecutors are reviewing:

Project contracts and tender procedures

Technical designs and implementation standards

Oversight and approval documentation

The use and allocation of the €19 million budget

The move comes amid growing public anger, with many residents questioning how such an expensive infrastructure project could fail so quickly.

Public Outrage and Political Pressure

Videos and images shared widely on social media showed roads turned into rivers, vehicles stranded, and ground-floor shops flooded, fueling criticism of local authorities and contractors.

Opposition figures and civil society groups have called for full transparency, demanding that anyone responsible for negligence or misuse of public funds be held accountable.

“This project was meant to protect Durrës from exactly this kind of disaster,” said a local resident. “Instead, the city flooded again. People deserve answers.”

Infrastructure and Accountability in Focus

Durrës has long struggled with flooding during heavy rains, making the drainage project a flagship public investment aimed at modernizing the city’s infrastructure. The latest events have reignited debate over construction standards, public procurement, and institutional oversight in Albania.

If violations are found, the case could lead to criminal charges, contract annulments, and financial penalties, prosecutors said.

What Happens Next

Investigators are expected to:

Question officials involved in approving and supervising the project

Examine whether construction met required technical specifications

Determine if public funds were misused or improperly managed

The findings could have wider implications for public works projects across Albania, especially those funded by large state budgets.

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