On March 22, 2020, at 6:24 AM, a powerful earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck Zagreb, Croatia, leading to the destruction of many homes and the tragic loss of life, including a 15-year-old girl named Anamarija Carević. The epicenter of the quake was located approximately 7 kilometers north of central Zagreb in the Markuševec area, at a depth of 10 kilometers. The tremor sent residents fleeing into the streets, filled with fear and uncertainty about further aftershocks.

Just minutes after the initial quake, a second tremor of magnitude 5.0 was recorded at 7:01 AM, followed by a lighter aftershock of magnitude 3.7 at 7:41 AM. In the 24 hours following the first major earthquake, the Zagreb region experienced a total of 57 aftershocks. According to the Seismological Service and the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the strongest of these aftershocks matched the initial 5.5 magnitude, while the weakest recorded was 2.0. As of April 14, the Seismological Service reported around 145 tremors that residents felt, highlighting the ongoing seismic activity and the psychological toll on the community.

The anniversary of this catastrophic event serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of urban areas to natural disasters and emphasizes the need for preparedness and seismic safety measures in cities prone to earthquakes. The impact of the earthquake was profound, leading to significant rebuilding efforts and heightened awareness regarding earthquake readiness among the Croatian populace.