January 4, 2021 - Petrinja Mayor Darinko Dumbovic is interviewed by N1 on the current situation in his town.

Petrinja Mayor Darinko Dumbovic said that this morning's earthquake was very strong. He pointed out that the accommodation of people is now the basic problem, because enough food and clothes have arrived.

"This was a blow to everything that is not difficult to hit, because even much smaller blows will bring additional damage. All people who move through the centre will have a problem if a brick falls on their head, a tile… Our nights are traumatised, without sleep, uncertainty, a future in which we urgently need to find a solution. Citizens are on the edge of patience and the capabilities of a normal human being. Today in Petrinja, no one is normal anymore," said the Petrinja mayor.

Regarding the establishment of the Government Crisis Management Headquarters in the area of ​​Petrinja and Sisak, he said: “As far as I know Tomo Medved, he is a very good operative, a very good politician, he needs such an operational strong hand. He is good as a politician, but I think that there should be capable people in Petrinja, Sisak, Glina next to him… I am sure that we, as mayors, will be in the headquarters.”

Commenting on the speed of the state's reaction, Dumbovic pointed out that he could always do better: “The first days were terrible, everyone here risked their lives. In an hour all the teams and available strength were here in Petrinja. The question is what more they could have done. I don't mind wherever the headquarters are, just to have people living here. I am not interested in a headquarters comes here and knows more about and loves my city more than me.”

He pointed out that the first aid of two million kuna arrived the very next day, but he believes that the redistribution was incorrect: “The redistribution was incorrect if it was political and if it was from the county prefect. County prefects have no authority to dispose of money in such a disaster. Only the professionals can distribute that money, the priorities must be the problems that have arisen. Yes, the county prefect gave less money to Petrinja, which suffered the most in the earthquake. Time will show if the distribution is fair, we have a lot of work to do, I do not want politics, but I will be fair and strict when it comes to Petrinja."

He added that he was not interested in the Zagreb Act: “Parliament must debate this in a few days. I am not interested in the Law on Zagreb because these areas still have an elementary struggle for survival. Here, a square meter of a house was 150 euros, in Zagreb the living possibilities are higher than in Petrinja. We can't wait for the paperwork. "

Dumbović says that at the beginning, when thousands of people arrived at once, there was a huge crowd, and they could not coordinate everything because there is "not a single whole building in Petrinja where they would make an office". He considers his communication with the headquarters and people good, and he says about the problem of Petrinja even before the earthquake:

"Unfortunately, obviously Croatia improvises when it does something. The biggest problem in Petrinja was the city's property. Some houses collapsed like a tower of cards. In addition to containers and houses, which are now most needed, the law on spatial planning should be immediately simplified, to simplify the bureaucracy for the houses we will build. They have enough food and clothes.”

For more on the Petrinja earthquake and to see how you can donate money, food, humanitarian, sanitary and material aid, follow our dedicated section.

 Januray 4, 2021 - Another earthquake was felt around 7:50 a.m. in Petrinja and the surrounding area. The quake was also felt in Zagreb.Another earthquake was felt around 7:50 a.m. in Petrinja and the surrounding area. The quake was also felt in Zagreb.

The Seismological Institute reported it was 4.2 on the Richter scale.

#potres (#earthquake) 04.01. u 07:49 kod Petrinje, M4.2. Opširnije na https://t.co/gx5MbPj5KC. Ako ste osjetili potres, molimo javite na https://t.co/RJDaIJlwpM

— Seizmološka služba HR (@seizmo_hr) January 4, 2021

"This morning, January 4, 2021, at 7 hours and 49 minutes, seismologists from the Seismological Service of the Republic of Croatia recorded a fairly strong earthquake with the epicenter near Petrinja," the Seismological Service reported.

The earthquake shook during the show on live television, in which the deputy mayor of Glina, Branka Bakšić Mitić, was also a guest on the phone. She was the first to feel the concussion. "Here he is again," she exclaimed around 7:50, and then the earthquake was felt in the Zagreb studio.

A few minutes later she said it was 4.8 in strength.

Index reports that 46 quakes were recorded yesterday in the area, as well as another measuring 3.5 this morning at 04:20.

For more on the Petrinja earthquake and to see how you can donate money, food, humanitarian, sanitary and material aid, follow our dedicated section.

January 4, 2020 - Top Croatian chefs Hrvoje Zirojević, Braco Sanjin, and Ivan Pažanin will cook for Wolt Split from Tuesday, January 5, until Sunday, January 10, with all proceeds going to Petrinja earthquake victims. 

Jutarnji List reports that in cooperation with Wolt.hr and the Solidarna.hr Foundation, the Split chefs, with colleagues Stjepan Vukadin, Soniboj Grgin, the Kadena restaurant team, and volunteer chefs, will cook delicious and creative dishes that can be ordered online through the Wolt delivery service.

This is a unique opportunity because, while enjoying this gastronomic treat, you will directly help those in the Sisak-Moslavina County area affected by the Petrinja earthquake.

"It is important to develop a system that will work, and we want to be sure that the money will go to the right hands. Because the Croatian Civil Protection Headquarters' decision has temporarily closed restaurants to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and we are unable to serve and consume food in our facilities, we are therefore quite limited. Sincerely and from the bottom of our hearts, we want to contribute to the affected areas, respecting all measures and recommendations of the Civil Protection Headquarters. We have found a solution and hope for a great response and positive reactions," said Braco Sanjin.

Thus, every day from noon to midnight, you will be able to order their famous pasticada with gnocchi and other traditional dishes that they did not want to reveal just yet. There will also be pasta and risotto according to their recipes, and the price of each dish will be 60 kuna.

Numerous small and large local entrepreneurs, family farm owners, butchers, fishers, bakers, chefs from all over Croatia, olive oil producers, spices, retail chains, and associations, as well as winemakers from all over Croatia, responded to this laudable action. Each guest who orders four dishes will receive a small token of their gratitude and a bottle of wine.

"We would like to point out that all funds raised from this action will be paid into the crisis account of the Solidarna.hr Foundation and Fund 5.5 with Petrinja and Sisak Moslavina County and by mutual agreement redirected to the neediest families for the renovation or construction of their homes," revealed chef Braco Sanjin.

This is just the beginning of their wholehearted and selfless action to the Sisak and Petrinja area victims, and they are already thinking of new action to help the way they know best - by cooking!

"This way, we want to emphasize that we sympathize with all the families who lost their homes and lost their loved ones in this great tragedy, and that united, both in all the misfortunes that have befallen us together and for good, we are all moving together towards a happier and brighter future in 2021. Many thanks to everyone who participates and who will participate," concluded chef Braco Sanjin.

For more on the Petrinja earthquake and to see how you can donate money, food, humanitarian, sanitary, and material aid, follow our dedicated section.

ZAGREB, 3 January, 2021 - Of the 19 cities and municipalities in Sisak-Moslavina County, Petrinja, Glina, Sisak and Lekenik suffered the biggest damage, and Donji Kukuzari, Sunja, Hrvatska Kostajnica, Majur, Dvor, Topusko, Gvozd and Marinska Ves sustained extensive damage in the 29 December quake.

The county prefect Ivo Zinic explained on Sunday that so far, the damage was reported on 8,928 buildings and structures.

Of them, 20% are buildings completely destroyed or out of use anymore. Also, a quarter of the inspected buildings will need additional checks, and 54% of buildings checked by experts received a green label, which means that they can be used.

Reports on damaged buildings are still being received and the number of destroyed and damaged buildings will definitely rise, the prefect said at a news conference.

We have set up five mobile teams that are visiting settlements and villages to establish a state of affairs and see what the population needs, he added.

"A difficult situation is ahead of us, people are depressed, we will also organise psychological assistance," Zinic said.

825 small businesses, a third of family-run farms suffer damage by quake

Of 2,000 small businesses in the county, 825 have reported extensive damage, he said.

Furthermore, 700 companies and 3,000 out of 9,000 family-run farms have also sustained damage, he said.

When it comes to educational institutions, out of the 13 secondary schools in the county, six are unusable, and a preschool institution in Petrinja was destroyed.

Retirement homes in the area were also evacuated.

All healthcare institutions are providing services, although some of them are now placed in containers.

On 29 December, the earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale, that hit the area of Petrinja, some 50 kilometres south of Zagreb, killed seven people in the county, and a number of people were injured.

"The intensity of this destructive earthquake has been estimated at VII-IX degrees on the EMS scale. The quake was felt across the country. Large-scale damage is expected," the Croatian Seismology Service said on its Twitter profile immediately after the quake.

ZAGREB,3 January, 2021 - President Zoran Milanovic said on Sunday that the government should declare a state of catastrophic emergency due to the 29 December devastating earthquake that hit Petrinja and other areas of Sisak-Moslavina County.

"I do not know why a state of catastrophic emergency has not yet been declared. Those are important matters legally," Milanovic said in an interview with the N1 commercial broadcaster on Sunday.

Milanovic explained that the declaration of a state of catastrophic emergency was necessary so as to define the command chain and to know who would disburse the money needed for addressing the aftermath of the earthquake.

The president, who is the supreme commander, praised the engagement o the army in Petrinja and other quake-hit areas.

Milanovic believes that the National Civil Protection Authority could manage the quake aftermath, provided that it was given enough money and responsibilities.

Comparing the situation on Petrinja, hit by the 6.2-magnitude earthquake and in Zagreb after the 22 March earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale, Milanovic said that Petrinja was razed to the ground while Zagreb would always have the financial strength for the reconstruction.

He, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in the capital city, claiming that Zagreb was in a negligent state and he pointed out examples of unkempt city properties.

As for the coronavirus infection, Milanovic again called for inoculation of the population.

He added that since the start of his presidential mandate, he had been fair in the relationship with the government.

On Sunday afternoon the parliamentary party Centar also called on the government to declare  a state of catastrophic emergency and criticised the Plenkovic cabinet for how it was dealing with the aftermath of the quake in Sisak-Moslavina County.

January 3, 2021 - The Croatian flag was projected on the Mostar Bridge, which allegedly happened for the first time after the reconstruction of the bridge, in memory of the victims of the Petrinja earthquake.

Jutarnji List reports that on Saturday, the Old Bridge (Stari Most) in Mostar was illuminated in blue in memory of the eight young souls who lost their lives on New Year's Eve in Posušje, BiH, but also in the colors of the Croatian flag in memory of the victims of the Petrinja earthquake.

While the Croatian flag was projected on the Mostar Bridge, which allegedly happened for the first time after the reconstruction of the bridge, the message 'Together for Petrinja' was projected in the same colors.

Additionally, a candle was illuminated on one of the towers.

For more on the Petrinja earthquake and to see how you can donate money, food, humanitarian, sanitary and material aid, follow our dedicated section.

January the 3rd, 2021 - The Petrinja earthquake which struck central Croatia, affecting numerous areas including both Glina and Sisak, has attracted international attention. The Petrinja Mayor, Darinko Dumbovic has issued a warning to those who just want to come to the devastated city to take pictures - Don't bother.

As Index writes, Petrinja Mayor Darinko Dumbovic appeared on the show Nedjeljom u 2 (Sunday at 2) on HRT, and told people that if they plan to visit Petrinja just take selfies, photos of the damage and then leave without offering any help, to not come at all.

"The whole city has been destroyed. The most important thing now is to set up a system and act operationally. As for those who deal with statics, I want to communicate directly with them, as for those facilities that were destroyed, we want to be able to solve pressing issues in 24 hours, in 48 hours and then in 78 hours,'' he said.

He also called all the roofers to come to Petrinja.

"Come to Petrinja, you'll be paid for your time. We have the money and none of that is questionable. Please, come and let's organise everything. So, information, communication, the engagement of the profession and organisation. We expect all that for tomorrow," Darinko Dumbovic assured.

When asked how ordinary people can help and what the message from earthquake-stricken Petrinja is for them, he answered:

"The message I want to send out intended for every ordinary person is as followed: if they come to my city to come to take pictures for a souvenir, to just come take a selfie here, don't come. If they give the town money on its giro account - thank you! All those who want to help can also help with building materials and the like,'' Darinko Dumbovic concluded.

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January 3, 2021 -  Toni Bosnjakovic, a 35-year-old Croatian Paralympian, is on the ground repairing Petrinja earthquake damage.

Croatian Paralympian Toni Bosnjakovic is currently in Petrinja, where he is helping to repair the damage in the city as a volunteer. 

Gol.hr reports that 35-year-old Toni Bosnjakovic was in a serious accident six years ago. Namely, Toni fell under a train and was left without the lower part of both legs. But that wasn't going to stop him from succeeding. In his 30s, he discovered the possibilities he had in sport.

"And what's your excuse for not going to help?"

"I immediately realized that I would have to train for rehabilitation to get back to normal life as soon as possible. Then I started thinking about competing. Then, when I started competing, I said why not as I was already training. Then it became a habit, and today, I can't imagine life without sports," Toni told Dnevnik Nova TV.

"I will no longer go as a lizard but as an experienced Paralympian."

He started with summer sports, triathlons, and athletics, but his love for the snow was greater.

"I was asked in some amazing ways to do Paralympic shooting, but the training, held at the other end of town, was too far away. However, I didn't want to give up. And then the idea came to mind - parabiathlon."

Toni's story was created by the synergy of the Paralympic Committee, the Paralympic Skiing Federation and the Biathlon Federation.

Two years ago, he competed in Nordic running at the Winter Olympics.

"The experience I gained there is invaluable; it can't be bought with money, I saw my competitors. I've seen what it looks like first hand. I won't go there more as a lizard than as an experienced Paralympian."

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

For more on the Petrinja earthquake and to see how you can donate money, food, humanitarian, sanitary and material aid, follow our dedicated section.

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.

For more on the Petrinja earthquake and to learn how you can donate and offer help, follow our dedicated section.

January 3, 2021 - More tragedy in Petrnija, as police report the death of a man who fell from a roof.

More terrible news from Petrinja, where the emergency response continues after the devastating earthquakes earlier this week. 

Index reports that the Sisak-Moslavina Police Department has reported the death of a man in Petrinja, who died shortly after 10 am this morning, after falling from a roof.

The man, born in 1963, was from Vrbovec and had come to work as a volunteer in the rescue effort.

Police confirmed to Index that the volunteer fell from the roof. Witnesses tried resuscitation, but it was unsuccessful.

The tragedy is the first fatality in the clean-up after the powerful quakes which have devastated the town and surrounding area, but there have been several injuries among emergency response teams as well. 

Two firefighters were injured earlier today working in difficult conditions, bringing to six the number of firefighters who have been injured so far. 

Despite the dangers and aftershocks, firefighters worked through the night to remove damaged chimneys, repair roofs, remove tiles, secure dilapidated sites and other tasks for the purpose of saving and protecting human lives, the Croatian Fire Brigade reported.

During January 2, in addition to all available fire brigades of Sisak-Moslavina County, a total of 488 firefighters were engaged with 122 fire trucks from 17 other fire brigades of the counties and the State Fire Intervention Unit Dubrovnik HVZ.

This story will be updated. 

For more on the Petrinja earthquake and to see how you can donate money, food, humanitarian, sanitary and material aid, follow our dedicated section.