Another big earthquake in Croatia. A shallow 6.4 struck Petrinja on Dec 29, devastating the small city of 20 000.

It was part of an 'earthquake swarm' with a 5.2 pre-shock coming 24-hours earlier. Several 4+ aftershocks have occurred since.

The 6.4 was Croatia's largest recorded since record keeping began. Seven people reported killed at this stage, and another 20 injured.

Petrinja is only 50km from Zagreb which experienced a 5.3 in March this year. There are reports of further damage in Zagreb from this recent quake.

The earthquake comes in the middle of winter - which is not a good time to be homeless in Croatia, or without power for heating.

The whole planet has had a tough 2020, but Croatia takes the cake. I remember 2016 as a tough year in Taitung - Cat 5 typhoon and earthquake - we were wondering what next. But 2017 was much quieter. Let's hope Croatia can catch a break in 2021.