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The cleanup effort continues in Croatia after the country was rocked by the strongest earthquake in 140 years.
Seven people died when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake destroyed homes south of the capital Zagreb. An estimated 20 people were also injured.
Many people in Petrinja, Sisak and the surrounding villages spent their second night outdoors, in their cars or on the streets, fearing aftershocks.
A score of mobile shelters arrived Thursday morning, donated by hotels and companies.
A total of 79 containers were also delivered to the Glina area, including 60 from Austria and 4 from Slovenia.
“The first people will be able to sleep there tonight and this is very important,” said Tourism Minister Nikolina Brnjac.
Sixty more mobile homes are expected to arrive to help accommodate about 500 residents. The Croatian division of the Red Cross has also been distributing humanitarian packages to earthquake victims throughout Sisak-Moslavina county.
On Tuesday, Croatian footballer Dejan Lovren declared that he would make his home available to “16 families who are in greatest difficulties” after the earthquake.
The area has still been experiencing tremors for several days, with a new 3.7 magnitude earthquake recorded Thursday.
“It is difficult to say how many houses were damaged, but we know that more than 3,500 were destroyed,” said Ivan Zinic, president of the Sisak region.
About 850 homes still had no power Wednesday night, according to national electricity provider HEP.
A Greek military plane landed at Zagreb airport on Wednesday night with humanitarian aid, including tents, electric heaters, hundreds of beds and sleeping bags, according to the Defense Ministry.
The Croatian government has also requested the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
The country’s president, Zoran Milanovic, praised the recovery efforts, saying this is not Croatia’s first new beginning.
“Unfortunately, there were many of these new beginnings in our history, and Majske Poljine and Strasnice, towns like that, were the most affected,” he said. “Five people died here yesterday, what can I say? [an] hex.
“I want to thank everyone involved in helping people here, especially the Croatian army.”
