Croatian capital hit by earthquakes amid struggle against COVID-19 outbreak

Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-23 05:46:00|Editor: yan
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ZAGREB, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A series of earthquakes hit Croatian capital Zagreb Sunday, leaving some 30 people injured with one child in critical condition.

The first earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale jolted the city at 6:24 local time (0524 GMT), according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Center, which previously measured the quake at magnitude 5.3.

It was the strongest earthquakes in Zagreb since 1880 when a 6.3-magnitude quake devastated the city, local media said.

Around 30 weaker aftershocks ensued during the day with the strongest one measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale at 7:01 a.m. (0701 GMT).

The city has suffered severe material damage, especially its upper-town historic core. Dozens of buildings were ruined and many cars parking along city streets were damaged by fallen bricks.

Part of the north tower of the most famous Zagreb Cathedral, which was built in the 13th century and severely damaged in the 1880 earthquake, collapsed.

The parliament building was also damaged. As a result, the next session will take place at a different location.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that Croatia would seek support from the European Union when assessing the extent of the damage.

The quakes, causing people to flock to streets, will further complicate the country's anti-coronavirus measures, including a shutdown of all public spaces to limit social contact.

Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said that coronavirus is still the biggest problem in the country, which has recorded 254 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday afternoon.

The minister said that further measures will be introduced to stem the coronavirus outbreak, such as limiting travel between cities and closing down markets.

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