Croatia has been hit by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor caused major damage to the town of Petrinja, and left at least one person dead, according to authorities.
«The destructive earthquake has taken human lives, destroyed homes, and we deeply sympathise with every person and every family that has been harmed.» The quake struck the Balkan country at 12:20 p.m. local time (6:20 a.m. ET). Its epicenter was located 44 kilometers (27 miles) southeast of the capital Zagreb, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. The government-owned Croatian News Agency HINA earlier reported that the quake had a magnitude of 6.3. The EMSC said it was the largest earthquake to hit Croatia so far this year, adding it could «generate significant damage at close epicentral distances.» Croatian town ‘going through hell’ Petrinja Mayor Darinko Dumbovic told CNN affiliate N1 that the town of nearly 25,000 residents was «going through hell» after the tremor, and had no running water or electricity. He has requested emergency aid. «I feel that both its center and its soul have been destroyed,» Dumbovic said. «We have no electricity, no water. Everything is broken. We are here in darkness, in ruin, searching for people,» he added. HEP, the state electricity provider, said it had managed to restore power to parts of the quake-hit area; however Petrinja and its hospital remains dark, N1 reported.
