The cap of the bell tower, 14 metres high and weighing 15 tonnes, was successfully removed from the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Sisak at noon on Sunday after it was severely damaged in the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck central Croatia on 29 December.

It has been decided that the bell tower, built in the mid-18th century, will not be knocked down but will be dismantled brick by brick so as not to endanger adjacent buildings, fire officer Marko Adamcic, who was in charge of the operation, told the press.

The operation was watched by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Deputy Prime Minister Tomo Medved, local government and church officials and members of the public.