5.2 magnitude earthquake shakes Croatia

A magnitude 5.2 earthquake hit central Croatia on Monday at 6.28 a.m. local time (0528 UTC), Croatian state television reported.

The epicenter was near the towns of Petrinja and Sisak, around 50 kilometers (31 miles) southeast of the capital Zagreb.

What we know so far

• Hundreds of buildings were reportedly damaged in Petrinja and Sisak, including a hospital.
• There were no immediate reports of casualties.
• Tremors were felt in the capital city Zagreb.
• The quake was followed by an aftershock registering 4.9 magnitude, according to European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) data.

Panic near epicenter

The mayor of Petrinja, Darinko Dumbovic, told regional broadcaster N1 that "people are on the streets, there is panic. There are badly damaged buildings, so the citizens are afraid to go back inside," adding that the town hall was damaged.

The earthquake also woke up residents in Zagreb, triggering car alarms in the capital city and prompting many locals to leave their homes.

Structural engineer Branko Zlonoga told N1 that 500 buildings in the area were reported damaged. After a preliminary inspection of downtown Sisak, he warned that at least one structure suffered extensive damage and several others were of "questionable stability," but added that the city center "did alright, generally speaking."

"The problem here is that chimneys have been damaged, just like in Zagreb," the engineer said. "This is the biggest danger for the citizens and something that needs to be amended urgently."

EU pledges help

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said she spoke to Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on the phone about the EU helping the member state.

"We are following the situation closely and stand ready to help," she wrote on Twitter.

"Stay strong, Croatia!"

Plenkovic visited the area Monday to show "support for the citizens," alongside President Zoran Milanovic.

This is the second earthquake to have struck Croatia this year. In March, an earthquake of magnitude 5.3 hit Zagreb causing one death and injuring 27 people.

"This year is ending the way it started," Plenkovic said on Monday, promising state help for the quake-hit regions.

kmm/rt (Reuters, AP)