Earthquake causes widespread damage in Croatia

A strong earthquake has shaken Croatia and its capital, causing panic, the evacuation of hospitals and widespread damage – including to the city’s cathedral – all amid a partial coronavirus lockdown.

A 15-year-old was in a critical condition and several others injured, news outlets reported.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said the 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck a wide area north of Zagreb at 6.23am local time (0523 GMT) on Sunday. The epicentre was 4 miles (7km) north of the capital at a depth of 6 miles (10km).

The prime minister, Andrej Plenković, 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 showed mothers dressed in nightgowns hugging their newborn babies in a parking lot as they evacuated a damaged maternity hospital during freezing temperatures. The women, newborn babies and incubators were being moved to a new location with the help of the army.

Zagreb’s cathedral was also damaged, with the top of one of its two spires collapsing. The structurel was rebuilt after it toppled in the 1880 earthquake.

Power was cut and several fires were o reported. At least two other tremors were recorded later. Residents shared photos of belongings falling off shelves, broken bottles and glass inside homes.

Officials first said a 15-year-old had been killed, but doctors later said she was in a critical condition. They gave no immediate details on the extent of other injuries.

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 homes. Up to five people are allowed to be together while keeping a distance. _The Guardian

Dhaka/AKA