Albanian Coast Hit by Environmental Damage from Trump-Linked Hotel Project

Preparatory work for a €4.5 billion luxury hotel complex linked to Jared Kushner has caused significant environmental harm along Albania’s coast. Satellite images show a road cleared, dunes deforested and a bridge built across the channel connecting the Narta lagoon to the sea during a 25‑day period in May. Marine biologist Olsi Nika of the NGO EcoAlbania warned that bulldozers have destroyed loggerhead turtle nesting sites and disturbed bird habitats, describing the impact as "an absolute biodiversity massacre." The construction also disrupted water flows essential to the wetlands. Scientists who visited the site in June confirmed damage to turtle nesting grounds, bird colonies and dune ecosystems, deeming much of the loss irreversible. Daily protests have led to the suspension of some work, but the Albanian government, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, defends the project as a catalyst for foreign investment and jobs, calling it "Europe’s finest project."