March 22, 2020 – A 5.3 magnitude earthquake rattled Zagreb this morning, which was followed by a second just 30 minutes later.
Not even 24 hours after the Croatian capital was shut down and residents asked to stay indoors due to the developing coronavirus crisis in the country, the Croatian capital awoke to yet another scare – a 5.3 magnitude earthquake.
The first earthquake hit at 6:24 am, which was followed by another of 5.0 magnitude 9 kilometers north of the capital.
The photos that emerged were catastrophic. Rubble spilled onto the streets, blocks of cement crashed into cars, bedroom walls cracked, roofs destroyed, and perhaps one of the most shocking scenes came from the University Hospital Centre, where nurses evacuated with newborn babies in hand.
Damage to property in the city center is inconceivable, and many parts of the city are without electricity or water.
A challenging 24 hours in Zagreb, indeed, though it has once again proved that Croatian solidarity prevails.
Hajduk Split, the eternal rival of Dinamo Zagreb, sent a message to the capital this morning in the wake of the earthquake news.
“Hang in there, Zagreb” reads the caption, posted with a photo showing one of the damaged spires on top of the Zagreb Cathedral.
A 15-year-old boy is in critical condition following the collapse of the building at Djordjiceva 13 due too the earthquakes.
TCN reported three initial earthquakes, all a few kilometers north of Zagreb. The first had a magnitude of 5.3 at 06:24, the second 5.0 at 07:01, and a third at 07:41, measuring 3.7. We are also hearing of another small earthquake at 09:07, although this has to be confirmed. Follow this official global earthquake monitoring website for the latest.
