Panic on the streets as quake hits in lockdown
Hospitals evacuated, people forced to flee homes in Croatia
A STRONG earthquake in Croatia on Sunday caused panic, the evacuation of hospitals and widespread damage including to the capital’s iconic cathedral – all amid a partial coronavirus lockdown.
A 15-year-old girl 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, local time, on Sunday.
The epicentre was 7km north of Zagreb at a depth of 10km.
There were at least four weaker temblors after the initial quake. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the earthquake was the biggest in Zagreb in the last 140 years.
Many buildings in the capital 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.
Footage from the scene showed mothers dressed in nightgowns hugging their newborn babies in a parking lot as they evacuated a damaged maternity hospital amid freezing tem temperatures. t T The women, newborn babies and incubators were being moved to a new location with the help of the army.
Zagreb’s iconic cathedral was also damaged, with the top of one of its two spires collapsing la (left). The cathedral was w rebuilt after it toppled in the th 1880 earthquake.
Power was cut as people ra ran out of their homes. Sever eral fires were also reported.
Residents shared photos of be belongings falling off shelves, br broken bottles and glass insi side homes.
Officials first said a 15ye year-old was killed, but doctors later said that she was in critical condition and that they were fighting to save her.
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 a distance.
Health Minister Vili Beros warned people to keep a 2m “social distance” as requested by decrees passed by the government in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19. At the time of going to press, there were 235 coronavirus cases confirmed in Croatia.
“Earthquakes are dangerous, but coronavirus is even more so,” Mr Beros said, as people rushed out of their homes.