Croatia s government will hold a national day of mourning on 2 January to honour the victims of the earthquake, Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic has said. Several countries have offered to assist Croatia s rescue operations and European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic has also arrived in the country.

In the early hours of Tuesday afternoon Croatia was hit by a 6,3 magnitude earthquake. The tremour s epicentre was 46 kilometres from Zagreb near the central-Croatian town of Petrinja, where several buildings have collapsed. Seven people died and many suffered injuries.

Earlier, on Monday morning, the same area was struck by 5,2 magnitude tremour, followed in 90 minutes by two aftershocks measuring 4,7 and 4,1 on the Richter-scale, respectively.

On Wednesday, authorities also registered many stronger aftershocks.

„The earthquake claimed the lives of 27 people. We hope we won t have more casualties,” Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic told journalists at Wednesday s press briefing.

The PM conyeved his special thanks to all those who have offered their help and assistance. Civilians from many parts of Croatia have arrived to help with the rescue efforts and the clearing of debris.

Mr Plenkovic stressed that those who would like to help should get in touch with the Red Cross or the Civil Protection Directorate, and comply with the relevant pandemic-related rules and restrictions.

The government has opened a separate „earthquake relief” account at the state treasury to receive financial assistance from abroad, he added.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated on Tuesday, a few hours after the quake, following a request by Zagreb to mobilise assistance. 13 member states responded immediately.

As a result, the first aid shipments arrived around midnight on Tuesday. Slovania sent four housing containers, 12 bunker beds, 24 mattresses and 200 sleeping bags. Austria send 470 rollaway beds, Italy sent 100 winterised tents, Greece sent 40 tents and 50 electrical heaters, 500 rollaway beds and 500 sleeping bags. Romania sent 50 tents, 100 rollaway beds, 200 sleeping bags and 14 housing containers, while  Sweden sent 60 tents, 2000 rollaway beds. The Czech Republic sent two special protection lighting equipment, one balloon light tower, ten electric heaters, 600 rollaway beds and 1200 sleeping bags to Croatia.

„Croatia is not alone”, said European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, who arrived in Croatia on Wednesday, according to the N1 television s news site.

Many leaders, including Polish President Andrzej Duda and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, have expressed their sympathy and condolences to Croatia and the victims families.

In a letter sent to Andrej Plenkovic, his Croatian counterpart on Tuesday afternoon, PM Orban offered Hungary s help in mitigating the damage caused be the earthquake and in rebuilding process following the catastrophe.

„I was deeply saddened to hear about the devastating earthquake which struck near the towns of Petrinja and Sisak in central Croatia”, Viktor Orbán wrote, ensuring his Croatian counterpart that Hungarians will stand by Croatia in these trying times. „We prey for the families of the victims and wish those injured a speedy recovery”.

In his letter addressed to Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, Polish President Andrzej Duda expressed his sympathy and solidarity towards the Croatian people.

„I sincerely hope that a swift and effective rescue operation will save all those who are still waiting for help under the ruins”, Mr Duda said.