Plenković: We are declaring a disaster in the area affected by the earthquake

The government will declare a disaster in the areas affected by the earthquake and in this situation no one will be left alone, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said at today's session of the Croatian government. The government session began with a minute's silence for the eight young people who tragically died in Posušje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Plenković said that 24 people were injured in the earthquake, 18 of whom are receiving hospital treatment. Four firefighters were injured, and one volunteer died.

"The ground is still shaking, we saw that this morning as well. This does not mean that we must continue to be in fear, but we must be vigilant," said Plenković, as reported by HRT.

"I want to thank the army, the Red Cross, the firefighters, the volunteers, all the people of good will who showed a big heart, togetherness to help everyone whose lives were fundamentally changed by this earthquake. It was a unity that we can all be proud of. On the ground, they and structural engineers, numerous construction companies contributed. I also want to thank the numerous countries that provided support and delivered key supplies in a short period of time. On behalf of the Government, I thank them from the bottom of my heart," he added. He said that he spoke with the mayor of Petrinja, Darinka Dumbović: "He knows that we are with the citizens of Petrinja, there will be more support," Plenković said.

A state of disaster has been declared in the areas of Sisak-Moslavina County, parts of Zagrebačka and Karlovačka, and it has been decided to form a rehabilitation headquarters.

"We will show that we have the strength to deal with the consequences of this crisis and open the perspective for the normalization of life and reconstruction," Plenković said.