A 15-year-old boy has died and dozens of people have been injured after a 5.3 magnitude earthquake hit Croatia this morning, sparking blazes, cracking buildings and crushing cars under falling slabs of concrete.
People dashed onto the streets of Zagreb, the capital, at 6.23am (5.23am GMT) as their homes were shaken violently by the tremor.
Citizens had been ordered to stay inside due to coronavirus and banned from being in groups numbering more than five people. Croatia has recorded 206 cases of the virus and one death since the outbreak began.
A 15-year-old boy has died and dozens have been injured after an earthquake struck the north of Croatia’s capital, Zagreb
A top part of the side wall of this property has collapsed during the 5.3 magnitude earthquake, which struck four miles north of the capital Zagreb
Debris and slabs of concrete have been left littering the streets due to the 5.3 magnitude earthquake
A shattered chimney pictured on the floor next to two people wearing masks walking past in Zagreb, Croatia
A small car is pictured completely crushed by falling debris while a second car is also shown to be severely damaged
A concrete building part has fallen onto this BMW, shattering its windscreen and denting its front bonnet and seats
A man inspects the damage caused by an earthquake in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, March 22, 2020. A strong earthquake shook Croatia and its capital on Sunday, causing widespread damage and panic
Many buildings cracked in the capital and walls and rooftops were damaged, photos of the destruction show. Downtown streets were also littered with debris, as concrete slabs fell on cars and chimneys landed in front of entrances.
Zagreb’s iconic cathedral was also damaged with the top of one of its two spires collapsing. The cathedral was rebuilt after it toppled in the 1880 earthquake.
Croatian media said a 15-year-old died. Officials said there were other injuries, but gave no immediate details.
A bike is also shown to have had its wheel bent after a slab of concrete fell onto it during the earthquake
The top of one of the two spires on the cathedral of Zagreb has also fallen off due to the earthquake
A slab concrete pictured lying on the street in Zagreb, Croatia
Bricks lie across the road and on the back of a vehicle this morning after the earthquake struck the capital
Further bricks lie across the road as residents walk past wearing face masks. They had been ordered to stay inside due to the coronavirus outbreak. The country has recorded more than 200 cases so far
Part of a children’s playground pictured buried under debris as a woman wearing a face mask sits in the street
Inside homes, residents shared photos of belongings falling off shelves, broken bottles and glass.
Power was also cut as the earthquake struck and several fires were reported. Two further tremors were recorded later.
The earthquake struck four miles north of the city at a depth of six miles, according the European Seismological agency.
People walk past a damaged house after an earthquake in Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, March 22, 2020. A strong earthquake shook Croatia and its capital on Sunday, causing widespread damage and panic
People inspect the damage caused by an earthquake at the main square in central Zagreb, Croatia, Sunday, March 22, 2020. A strong earthquake shook Croatia and its capital on Sunday, causing widespread damage and panic
Victims of the earthquake huddle together in one of Zagreb’s parks.