Strong quake shakes Croatia, damaging buildings in capital

A tough earthquake shook Croatia and its capital on Sunday, causing far-reaching harm and frenzy. A 15-year-old was accounted for in basic condition and others were harmed, news outlets announced.

The European seismological office, EMSC, said the earthquake measured 5.3 and struck a wide region north of the capital, Zagreb, at 6:23 a.m. (0523 GMT) Sunday. The focal point was 7 kilometers (4 miles) north of Zagreb at a profundity of 10 kilometers (6 miles).

Numerous structures in Zagreb broke and dividers and housetops were harmed. Downtown lanes were covered with garbage. Solid chunks fell on autos and fireplaces arrived before passages.

Photos from the scene show moms wearing robes embracing their infants in a parking area as they emptied a maternity clinic in the midst of frigid temperatures.

Zagreb’s famous house of God was likewise harmed with the highest point of one of its two towers crumbling. The church building was remade after it toppled in the 1880 earthquake.

Force was removed as people ran of their homes. A few flames were likewise detailed. At any rate, two different tremors were recorded later. Occupants shared photographs of things tumbling off racks, broken containers and glass inside homes.

Authorities originally said a 15-year-old was executed, yet specialists later said that she is in critical condition and that they are battling for her life. They gave no prompt subtleties on the degree of different wounds.

The earthquake struck amid a partial lockdown of the capital because of the spread of the coronavirus. People were told to avoid public areas, such as parks and public squares, but had little choice as they fled their residences. Up to five people are allowed to be together while keeping distance.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the earthquake was the biggest in Zagreb in the last 140 years.

He urged the citizens to remain calm and stay outside their homes in the central parts of Zagreb, which sustained the most damage.

“We have two parallel crises that contradict each other,” Plenkovic said after an emergency meeting of Croatia’s top officials.

Croatia’s army and all emergency services will start clearing the streets as soon as possible, while assessment will start of the damage at the same time.

Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said the circumstances were complex by the restrictive virus-related measures in place.

“There are rules for when there is an earthquake, but when there is an earthquake at the same time when there is a global pandemic, then it’s a much more complex situation.” Bozinovic told the state HINA news agency.

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