‘Pure horror’ after Croatia hit by worst earthquake in 140 years
- Second earthquake in two days strikes central Croatia
- Devastates town, felt as far away as Rome and Vienna
A search for survivors stretched into Wednesday after the worst earthquake to hit Croatia in 140 years killed at least seven people in the country’s interior, tearing down rooftops and piling bricks in the streets
The 6.4-magnitude quake on Tuesday was felt as far afield as Vienna but the heavy damage was concentrated in and around Petrinja, a town of around 20,000 some 50km (30 miles) south of Croatia’s capital Zagreb.
The was more powerful than both a 5.2 quake on Monday and a similar-sized tremor that caused US$6 billion in damage when it hit Zagreb in March.
Among the dead were a girl who was about 13 years old and a father and son.
Most buildings in Petrinja were damaged so badly they’re now unusable, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said at the scene. Authorities evacuated the hospital in the nearby city of Sisak, and the tremor also damaged structures in Zagreb, where people left their homes to wait out any potential aftershocks.
“2020 has brought us tragedy after tragedy,” Plenkovic said in comments on N1 Television. The broadcaster reported at least 20 people had been hospitalised with injuries, with two in serious condition.