Strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake rattles Croatia; at least 1 dead
Croatia #Croatia
Dec. 29 (UPI) — A magnitude-6.2 earthquake shook Croatia on Tuesday, causing at least one death and heavy damage in Petrinja and Sisak.
The quake was centered just west of Petrinja, a city of 25,000 about 30 miles southeast of Zagreb, Croatian seismologists said.
Shaking was felt by nearly 6 million people in Croatia and around the Balkans, prompting large-scale rescue operations, state-owned HRT News reported.
Officials said a 12-year-old girl was killed and there were cries from victims trapped in both towns. Numerous injuries were reported.
An official said Sisak General Hospital was largely destroyed.
“We have nowhere to come to work tomorrow, only the gynecology building remains, where we are currently taking care of the most seriously ill,” said hospital director Tomislav Dujmenovic, who added that many of the severely injured were evacuated to Zagreb.
The Croatian Army was providing help in Petrinja under direction from defense minister Mario Banozic, officials said. Croatian President Zoran Mlanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic also visited the city.
Tuesday’s quake was the second in the area within 24 hours, after a magnitude-5.0 earthquake on Monday.