Croatia's Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Mirko Sundov, said on Tuesday that Croatia will send two helicopters and a Defense Ministry civil protection unit to assist Albania in the recovery operation after the country was hit by the strongest earthquake in decades early on Tuesday morning.

At least 14 people have been killed, and more than 600 have been injured, in the earthquake, which struck the densely populated area of Albanian coast and its capital Tirana, government’s spokesman Endri Fuga said on Twitter on Tuesday.

Several people are still missing, and schools have been closed in the cities of Durres, Lezhe, and Tirana.

The 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit shortly before 4 am on Tuesday, and was felt as far as the southern Croatian city of Dubrovnik.

Zagreb City authorities are also ready to offer assistance to Albania in search and rescue efforts. Two teams of professional firefighters specialised in rescue operations have been put at Albania’s authorities’ disposal.

According to Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, Italy and Greece have also provided assistance in the recovery operation, with other European leaders offering their help as well. 

Southern Bosnia and Herzegovina also hit by quake

Another earthquake, measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale, occurred at 10.19 am south of the Bosnian city of Mostar, followed by a few minor tremors. Roof tiles fell off several buildings and minor damage has been caused to some buildings in the city, prompting local authorities to close schools for the day.