PM: Earthquake damage in Stubica estimated at HRK 70m

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Saturday visited the communities in Krapina-Zagorje County struck, alongside Zagreb, by a strong earthquake last Sunday, saying the damage in Gornja Stubica and Donja Stubica, according to the first estimates, amounted to HRK 70 million.

Plenkovic told reporters near Marija Bistrica the total damage in the area would be determined after a natural disaster was declared.

He said all relevant services "will make comprehensive preparations on how we can help in the most effective way, notably the people whose houses and flats were damaged in this earthquake."

Plenkovic visited Gornja Stubica, Donja Stubica, Marija Bistrica, Slani Potok and Laz Bistricki together with Construction Minister Predrag Stromar, Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic, Economy Minister Darko Horvat and Kolar. 

Plenkovic said Stromar should draft a bill for dealing with the damage caused by the quake.

He said the extent of the damage in all communities struck by the 5.5 earthquake, including Markusevac, Cucerje and Kasina near Zagreb, was "much bigger than it seems."

He said he would not speculate about costs before civil engineers saw how many buildings had been damaged and how many would have to be demolished, adding that he would see which European aid could be used to deal with the effects of the earthquake.

Plenkovic said he sympathised with those affected and thanked those providing for the 400 people who had to find temporary accommodation in a Zagreb student dorm.

Kolar said the damage to homes in Marija Bistrica, Gornja Stubica and Donja Stubica was estimated at HRK 75 million and that it did not include the damage to religious structures.

Defence Minister Krsticevic said the army was using about 50 drones to record the damage caused by the earthquake and sending the footage to municipalities, towns and expert services. "Professionals can use all that data to plan the reconstruction that will have to happen."

Current crisis worse than in 2008, new measures to help economy

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Saturday the economic damage caused by COVID-19 would be worse than the 2008 global economic crisis and that Croatia would put forward new measures to help the economy.ž

"We responded promptly with 63 measures, very clearly presenting what is most important at this time, facilitating all we can, notably for the private sector. Next week we will propose another set of measures," he told reporters in Laz Bistricki.

Given that there are no indications when a vaccine will be available, we don't know how much time we will need to acquire immunity, so "all that puts us in special circumstances," Plenkovic said.

The government will adopt decisions in the best interest of Croatian citizens, "finding liquidity and funds in every way possible, both on the domestic and the international market," he added.

Everything will depend on the duration of this crisis, he said, reiterating that Croatia would receive €1.16 billion from the EU's coronavirus investment plan and that part of the the first installment of €240 million would arrive early next month.

We will use all the European funds at our disposal to fight the pandemic and try to explain, after calculating the damage, all that can help us at European level to deal with the effects of last Sunday's earthquake in the Zagreb area, Plenkovic said.

Asked if the law which envisages covering only 5% of the damage caused in an earthquake would be amended, he said the relevant ministry was working on the amendments.

We will try to find a solution that takes into account the specificities of this earthquake, which was big and has affected a huge number of people, he added.

Reporters also asked him if Croatian companies were complying with coronavirus precautions and if employers had ensured sufficient protective equipment for their workers.

"Yesterday I spoke with Chinese Prime Minister Li, they will give part of the donations. The rest we ordered from big Chinese companies, materials, protective equipment, primarily for hospitals, but also for all other services which must have it, the police, firefighters, customs officials, inspectors, the army. There will be enough given that we want to have supplies for an extended period of tome for all who need it," said Plenkovic.

Civil protection authority's decisions in line with law, nature of COVID threat

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Saturday the national civil protection authority was adopting all decisions based on the amended Civil Protection Act and that it was doing so in line with the nature of the COVID-19 threat.

These are special circumstances which demand special measures and everything Croatia is doing, other countries are doing too, he told reporters in Krapina-Zagorje County when asked what he thought of President Zoran Milanovic's statement that parliament should adopt by a two-thirds majority all measures to ban movement and track the mobile phones of people in self-isolation.

The most important thing to us is the safety of our citizens, Plenkovic said, adding that everything that was being undertaken in these circumstances was appropriate and as it should be.

The dialogue with parliament is good and talks are being held so that it functions, which is the most important thing, he said, adding that for now he saw no need to adopt any new decisions.

A reporter remarked that tourism unions had cancelled their collective agreement and that this put tourism workers in a weaker position. Plenkovic said special attention would be paid to this as well as all other sectors.

"There is no branch of industry, of the economy, that isn't affected... Our measures will be comprehensive and we'll see what to do about those in an especially difficult situation. The relations between employers and trade unions are sometimes bipartite in some elements and we are conducting a tripartite dialogue between the government, trade unions and employers," he said.

There are agreements signed, there are laws in force, but there are also extraordinary circumstances, Plenkovic said, adding that in the current situation everyone would have to shoulder the burden in solidarity.

Asked where construction workers would be found, given the shortage, to rebuild the buildings damaged in a recent earthquake, he said the minister of construction had been tasked with that.

"They are preparing a law based on the extent of the Zagreb earthquake. The most important thing to us is the safety of citizens. Thanks to the activity of the army and the Defence Ministry, we have a complete picture of the situation in Zagreb from the air. This picture isn't very optimistic. Chimneys have demolished many roofs, causing damage to buildings. Most of them have to be removed from roofs," Plenkovic said.

Text: Hina