Earthquake rocks Croatia's capital Zagreb

An earthquake has shaken Croatia's capital Zagreb, damaging buildings and leaving cars crushed by falling slabs of masonry. A teenager is in a crucial condition after a roof fell, said by local media. The spire of the city's cathedral also snapped off.

After Sunday's tremor, Zagreb's mayor urged people to return to their homes given fears about the coronavirus.  The 5.3-magnitude quake is the largest to impact the city in 140 years. Scared residents ran out into the streets when it struck around 06:00 local time and were initially told to stay out by authorities.

"Keep your distance. Don't gather together. We are facing two serious crises, the earthquake and the epidemic," Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said. However, Mayor Milan Bandic later said they should return home.

"Eighty per cent of Zagreb residents live in structures that have strengthened valid structures," he said. Croatia has more than 200 infections of the new coronavirus.

Several buildings are reported to be damaged, including the parliament. People in southern Austria and Slovenia also felt the earthquake.