Two men were seriously injured following a sudden explosion in southern Albania and have been rushed to Tirana for specialized medical treatment, authorities said.

The incident occurred in the village of Matohasanaj, part of the Tepelena municipality, where an explosive device is believed to have detonated unexpectedly, causing severe injuries to both individuals present at the scene.

The men injured have been identified as Xhulio Salaj, 28, and Lisien Shehu, 34, residents of the nearby town of Memaliaj. According to initial reports, both men suffered significant burns to their bodies and faces.

Emergency responders transported the victims first to a local hospital before transferring them urgently to the Trauma Hospital in Tirana due to the severity of their injuries and concerns over possible long-term damage.

Authorities say the exact circumstances of the explosion remain unclear. However, preliminary suspicions suggest the blast may have been caused by an unexploded device that the victims encountered ??????????, triggering the detonation.

An investigative team is currently working to determine the full details of the incident, while officials continue to monitor the condition of the injured men.