Published 13:33 IST, December 30th 2020
Croatia: 7 killed as 6.4 magnitude earthquake jolts country, EU offers help
At least seven people have been killed and over 20 injured after a powerful earthquake jolted central Croatia on December 29(Local time).
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At least seven people have been killed and over 20 injured after a powerful earthquake jolted central Croatia on December 29(Local time). The 6.4 magnitude quake, which sabotaged country’s phone lines and power networks, concentrated around Petrinja, a town of around 20,000 some 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Croatia's capital Zagreb. A search operation, that stretched overnight, is currently underway to rescue the survivors.
Felt in Neighboring nations
Outside Croatia, the earthquake was also felt in neighbouring nations of Serbia, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Austria. Speaking to media reporters, Croatian defence minister Tomo Medved reckoned that there were a “lot” of victims. He added that in the vicinity of Glina, five deaths were confirmed in addition to one fatality in Petrinja. Later, Ivica Perovic, the chief of Lekenik Municipality, confirmed that a body of a man was found in the wreckage of a local church in the village of Zazine, Al Jazeera reported.
Country’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenković reportedly said that there could be many more victims buried in the rubble. Following the quake, around 200 people took shelter in military barricades while others opted to stay in their cars or with relatives.
"Together with Minister @ViliBeros I visited Sisak to check the condition of the Sisak hospital, which was badly damaged in the earthquake. All patients who need it will be transferred to Zagreb hospitals, and transport will be organized by helicopters @MORH_OSRH and emergency services," he tweeted.
Zajedno s ministrom @ViliBeros posjetio sam Sisak kako bismo provjerili stanje sisačke bolnice koja je dosta stradala u potresu. Svi pacijenti koji trebaju bit će prebačeni u zagrebačke bolnice, a transport će biti organiziran helikopterima @MORH_OSRH i hitnom službom. pic.twitter.com/Ugr1I8X9HB
— Andrej Plenković (@AndrejPlenkovic) December 29, 2020
EU offers help
European Union's crisis management chief, Janez Lenarcic, said the bloc was preparing aid and that he would visit Petrinja on Wednesday. Responding to the crisis, the European Union has offered help. "At the moment, mostly winter tents, electric heaters, sleeping beds and sleeping bags are needed as well as housing containers", European Union's crisis management chief, Janez Lenarcic, wrote on Twitter.
After another powerful earthquake in Croatia, the 2nd in the past 2 days, I spoke with Prime Minister @AndrejPlenkovic again.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 29, 2020
We are ready to support. I have asked @JanezLenarcic to stand ready to travel to Croatia as soon as the situation allows.
We stand with Croatia.
After today's #earthquake, @VladaRH has activated the 🇪🇺 Civil Protection Mechanism. At the moment, mostly winter tents, electric heaters, sleeping beds and sleeping bags are needed as well as housing containers.
— Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) December 29, 2020
I will visit the hardest hit 🇭🇷 town #Petrinja tomorrow.
Image: AndrejPlenkovic/Twitter
13:35 IST, December 30th 2020