Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic was in Sisak today, as he and other senior officials visited the region devastated by the recent earthquakes.
At precisely midday, Plenkovic was among those who watched the removal of the badly damaged bell tower of the Sisak Cathedral of the Exaltation of St. Cross. The 15-ton and 14-meter-high bell tower cap was successfully removed by experts.
As the head of the fire department of the Public Utility Company of the City of Zagreb, Marko Adamcic, who led the action, said, due to the great damage to the structure, it was a very sensitive operation which was preceded by two days of preparations.
Now that the top has been successfully removed, the masonry part of the bell tower will be gradually removed. In order not to endanger the neighboring buildings and protect the citizens, it was decided that the bell tower will not be demolished, but will be removed brick by brick. The intention of the builders is to first remove the upper, most damaged part of the bell tower to the level of the church, and subsequently the remaining part. Since Sisak Cathedral has other major damages, such as the collapse of the vault above the organ and choir, its fate will be decided later.
Also in attendance were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Tomo Medved, leaders of Sisak-Moslavina County and the City of Sisak, representatives of the Sisak diocese, and a large number of citizens.
“Given that the tower tilted and posed a threat, this is a somewhat similar operation as in Zagreb at the cathedral. It is an important event and we came to accompany it and give support to the firefighters who are working on it,” Plenković said.
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