Update from IC Croatia - June 2021

The IC of Croatia, formed in 2019, became the 42nd IC of the World. Like all clubs around the world, it has been hugely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, but 2020 has also brought other unfortunate and challenging circumstances.

On December 29th 2020, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck near Petrinja, Croatia, about 30 miles southeast of the capital of Zagreb. This is the largest earthquake to occur in Croatia since the advent of modern seismic instruments. The epicentre was 4 miles north of Zagreb, 6 miles above the centre of the 5.3-magnitude earthquake, which was followed by a number of smaller tremors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JimrD-wO4zE

The quake caused widespread damage, including to the city’s cathedral, and the evacuation of hospitals. Many buildings in the capital cracked and walls and rooftops were damaged. Streets were littered with debris. Concrete slabs fell on cars and chimneys landed in front of building entrances.

We had two parallel crises that contradict each other, the situation was complicated by the virus-related measures. "There are rules for when there is an earthquake, but when there is an earthquake at the same time when there is a global pandemic then it’s a much more complex situation." While social distancing regulations were in place, much of the population were pushed out on the streets together after the earthquake shook the Croatian capital.

Footage showed mothers dressed in nightgowns hugging their newborn babies in a car park in freezing temperatures after a damaged maternity hospital was evacuated. The women and children were moved along with incubators to a new location with the help of the army. The top of one of the two spires of Zagreb’s cathedral collapsed. The structure had been rebuilt after it toppled in an earthquake in 1880. Damage to the parliament building meant sessions would be postponed.

Today, many families are still living in temporary accommodation and the country is still struggling with the aftermath. As an IC Community, we are looking ahead to when Covid measures ease to try to organise an event or fixture with neighbouring ICs and then to participating in future IC weeks. Both will be a momentous occasion given the challenges since the IC was formed. Please do get in touch if you’d be interested in future fixtures of any kind, with IC of Croatia.

President: Predrag Stojcevic Pegi

Email: pegi@btinternet.commailto:pegi@btinternet.com

Honorary Secretary: Silvije Hraste

Email: silvije.hraste@gmail.commailto:silvije.hraste@gmail.com