Aftershocks hit central Croatia

AFTERSHOCKS jolted central Croatia yesterday, a day after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake killed at least seven people, injured dozens and left several towns and villages in ruins.

The strongest 4.7-magnitude tremor was recorded near the heavily damaged town of Petrinja, some 25 miles south-east of the capital, Zagreb. Many people had spent the night in tents, their cars or military barracks.

Neven Pavkovic, a resident, said the aftershocks kept him awake, adding: “It was a rough night, I slept maybe half an hour.”

In the hard-hit village of Majske Poljane, where five people died, a little boy could be seen sleeping in a van on the chilly morning.

Sobbing villagers said they received blankets, food and other aid but do not know what they will do next. Rain that fell overnight turned the dust from the rubble into mud, adding to the hardship.

Petrinja mayor Darinko Dumbovic said: “We had the third and fourth tremors this morning, short ones but strong. What hasn’t fallen off before is falling now from the ruins of Petrinja. Fear has crept into people.”

Rescuers spent the night searching through the rubble of heavily damaged buildings for possible survivors. Officials said a 12-year-old girl died in Petrinja, a town of some 25,000 people.