Earthquake hits Croatian capital amid COVID-19 crisis (PHOTO)

The first and strongest one measuring 5.3 on Richter scale occurred shortly after 6 am and forced surprised residents to flee their homes, gathering on the streets and in parks at a time authorities banned gatherings because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Two aftershocks followed - one 5.2 and the other 3.7.

Authorities called the army in to help with the consequences. Hospital staff pushed patients out on beds into the parking lots and pregnant women were placed into private cars to eventually deliver their babies there.   The Interior Ministry recommended that residents should stay outside, wear protective masks and keep a distance from each other in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 infection.  

The earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres near Zagreb and could be felt in Slovenia and the border town of Krsko, where a nuclear plant is located.   Authorities said the plant has not been damaged and is functioning normally.