EU stands with Croatia after powerful earthquake

Petrinja (Screenshot/Croatian Red Cross)

ZAGREB, Dec 29 (Hina) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday the EU stood with Croatia after another devastating earthquake and that she asked European Emergency Response Coordinator Janez Lenarcic to go to Croatia as soon as possible.

A magnitude 6.2 quake rocked central Croatia shortly after noon, causing extensive damage in Petrinja, Sisak, Zagreb and other towns. It was so strong that it was felt in neighbouring countries.

“After another powerful earthquake in Croatia, the 2nd in the past 2 days, I spoke with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic again. We are ready to support. I have asked Janez Lenarcic to stand ready to travel to Croatia as soon as the situation allows. We stand with Croatia,” von der Leyen tweeted.

The EU is offering Croatia full support and is “closely following the situation… following the devastating earthquake,” European Council President Charles Michel also said on Tuesday.

“At this difficult time, the European Union offers its full support and assistance to the people of Croatia and PM Andrej Plenkovic,” Michel tweeted. “Our thoughts go out to the injured and frontline workers.”

European Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic tweeted  the “Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in contact with authorities. We are closely following the situation on the ground in Croatia after another earthquake… We stand ready to help!”

A magnitude 5.0 struck the Petrinja area, 50 km from Zagreb, on Monday morning.

After another powerful earthquake in Croatia, the 2nd in the past 2 days, I spoke with Prime Minister @AndrejPlenkovic again.

We are ready to support. I have asked @JanezLenarcic to stand ready to travel to Croatia as soon as the situation allows.

We stand with Croatia.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 29, 2020