PM visits Markusevac and Cucerje, the epicentre of Zagreb’s earthquake

by croatiaweek
March 23, 2020
in News

PM Plenkovic in Cucerje on Monday (Photo: HINA/ Daniel KASAP)

ZAGREB, March 23 (Hina) – Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and his associates on Monday toured parts of Zagreb that were most affected by a string of earthquakes that hit the capital on Sunday, speaking to residents who have been placed in temporary accommodation and who want statics experts to inspect their homes as soon as possible to see if they are safe.

Plenkovic, Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic, Chief State Inspector Andrija Mikulic and Deputy Chief of the Civil Protection Authority Damir Trut visited three suburbs that were at the epicentre of the earthquakes.

The greatest damage was done to family homes and churches. Citing preliminary estimates, Plenkovic said that the damage to many homes was such that they would not be fit for use and that alternative accommodation would have to be found for those people.

Cucerje (Photo: HINA/ Daniel KASAP)

“The earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale caused considerable damage to the people and practically changed their lives in a second,” Plenkovic said.

“I would say people are still in a state of shock. A lot of them have found temporary accommodation with their families. Some are looking for accommodation or help from local government, civil protection organisations and some are looking for accommodation in the Cvjetno Naselje student dorm, which we organised,” he added.

Cucerje (Photo: HINA/ Daniel KASAP)

Cucerje (Photo: HINA/ Daniel KASAP)

Cucerje (Photo: HINA/ Daniel KASAP)

People whose houses were damaged asked the prime minister for expert services to come out into the field as soon as possible, particularly statics experts and establish whether their homes were fit for use.

“That was their greatest appeal,” Plenkovic told reporters.

Apart from many homes, several churches also suffered damage.

“It will take some time to make a list of all the properties damaged and to assess the impact of this quake at its epicentre,” Plenkovic said.