Bulgarian Cabinet approved 100,000 euro for Croatia in support of earthquake recovery

Bulgaria’s Council of Ministers approved 100 000 euro in aid for Croatia to assist in its recovery efforts, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of foreign affairs, Ekaterina Zaharieva, said in a press conference on December 30

The aid will be provided for the reconstruction of two buildings which have historical links to Bulgaria – the Gornjogradska Gimnazija high school in Zagreb and Croatian Academy of Sciences and Art.

The Bulgarian embassy continues to research where the biggest damages were. According to initial estimates, more than 5m euros will be needed for the recovery of Croatia after the devastating quake, which hit the country on December 29.

Ekaterina Zaharieva also announced that Bulgaria will provide two lorriess with mineral water, whoch will be transported with the help of a company from Plovdiv.

"We are all praying and hoping that there will no increase in death toll. We are together in this difficult moment," said the Foreign Minister and expressed condolences to the families and relatives of the dead and injured.

At least seven people, including a 12 year old, are known to have died in the earthquake that struck central Croatia on Tuesday, December 29. Petrinja, where the epicentre was, suffered extensive damages.

The quake was also felt in Austria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and even in Italy. As a precautionary measure, the Krško nuclear power plant in neighboring Slovenia .was shut down.

So far, no Bulgarians were reported to have been injured. Bulgaria stated its readiness to help Croatia.