Sunday, March 22, 2020

Croatia Hit With 'Biggest Earthquake In 140 Years'


Croatia hit with ‘biggest earthquake in 140 years’



A strong earthquake shook Croatia and its capital on Sunday, causing widespread damage and panic.
A 15-year-old was reported to be in critical condition and 16 others were injured, authorities said.
The European seismological agency, EMSC, said the earthquake measured 5.3 and struck a wide area north of the capital, Zagreb, at 6.23am (5.23 am Irish time).
The epicentre was 7km (four miles) north of Zagreb at a depth of 10km (six miles).
Many buildings in the city cracked, and walls and rooftops were damaged.
Streets were littered with debris, with concrete slabs falling on cars and chimneys landing in front of entrances.
Inside homes, residents shared photos of belongings falling off shelves, broken bottles and glass.
Croatian media said a 15-year-old died. Officials said there were other injuries, but gave no immediate details.
Photographs from the scene showed mothers dressed in nightgowns hugging their newborn babies in a car park as they evacuated a maternity hospital amid freezing temperatures.
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 no choice as they ran out of their apartments.
Up to five people keeping distance are allowed to be together.
Zagreb’s famous cathedral was also damaged, with the top of one of its two spires collapsing. The cathedral was rebuilt after it toppled in the 1880 earthquake.
Power was cut as people ran out of their homes. Several fires were also reported





A strong earthquake shook Croatia and its capital on Sunday, causing widespread damage and panic. A 15-year-old was reported in critical condition and others were injured, news outlets reported.
The European seismological agency, EMSC, said the earthquake measured 5.3 and struck a wide area north of the capital, Zagreb, at 6:23 a.m. (0523 GMT) Sunday. The epicenter was 7 kilometers (4 miles) north of Zagreb at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).
Many buildings in Zagreb cracked and walls and rooftops were damaged. Downtown streets were littered with debris. Concrete slabs fell on cars and chimneys landed in front of entrances.
Photographs from the scene show mothers dressed in nightgowns hugging their newborn babies in a parking lot as they evacuated a maternity hospital amid freezing temperatures.
Zagreb's iconic cathedral was also damaged with the top of one of its two spires collapsing. The cathedral was rebuilt after it toppled in the 1880 earthquake.
Power was cut as people ran out of their homes. Several fires were also reported. At least two other tremors were recorded later. Residents shared photos of belongings falling off shelves, broken bottles and glass inside homes.


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