January the 3rd, 2020 - Several days have now passed since the horrendous Petrinja earthquake struck central Croatia, causing tremendous damage in Petrinja, Sisak, Glina and in other surrounding areas. It was also felt in Zagreb and in various other places across Croatia and the wider region. On top of the horrific damage it caused, it also took several lives, including that of Laura, a thirteen year old girl.
The donations and aid have been pouring in for the victims of the Petrinja earthquake victims, for the reconstruction of the afflicted areas, and it has come from at home and abroad. The earthquake, which stole the property and in some cases the lives of people, marked the end to an absolute disaster of a year dominated by the still ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The fact that the Petrinja earthquake hit an area of Croatia which suffered enormously during the Homeland War, has faced years of shameful neglect and economic woes of a type not felt by most of the rest of the country added an additional burden to the entire sad saga.
Petrinja's locals, devastated by the loss of their home and of course the tragic loss of life caused by the quake, are finding it increasingly difficult to hold back the tears when remembering the trauma of the natural disaster, and when turning to face the long journey to recovery ahead of them.
As Index writes, Petrinja's locals have been commenting through tears for HRT on the devastating earthquake that hit their central Croatian town, almost entirely destroying it. The shakes continue to occur, and it's difficult to imagine what could be more psychologically torturous for the residents of this part of the country.
"There is no amount of money that can bring Petrinja back to what it once was. There will be new buildings of course, but this was, in a way... well this town had a soul, and now it will never have it again'' said one emotionally exhausted man from Petrinja through visible tears.
"Everything has gone. But well, there were also victims who lost their lives because of this. Everything else can be dealt with, but not that,'' said another Petrinja resident who also couldn't hold back the tears.
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