ZAGREB, 4 January, 2021 - The Croatian government on Monday decided to declare 5 January a day of mourning for eight young people who died of asphyxia on New Year's Eve in Posusje, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Four young men and women aged between 18 and 20 presumably died as a result of asphyxiation in Tribistovo, not far from Posusje in the night between 31 December and 1 January.

Unofficial sources have said that their death was most probably due to asphyxiation caused by a gas-powered generator unit that supplied electricity to the house where they were staying.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said today that observing a day of mourning for those young victims was a sign of solidarity. He added that the decision on the day of mourning was supported by President Zoran Milanovic and Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic.

Croatia's top officials earlier sent condolences to the families of the victims and the local authorities.

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.

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