Vatican City: Pope Francis on Wednesday prayed for the victims of the strong earthquake that hit Croatia on Tuesday.
"I express my closeness to those who were injured and to those who were hit by the earthquake," he said during his weekly audience.
"I particularly pray for those who died and for their families," he added.
The 6.3-magnitude earthquake killed at least seven people, injured dozens and left several towns and villages in ruins.
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On Wednesday, a series of aftershocks jolted central Croatia.
The strongest, 4.7-magnitude tremor was recorded near the heavily damaged town of Petrinja, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of the capital, Zagreb.
Tuesday's quake, the strongest in Croatia since the introduction of the modern seismic measurement system, was felt throughout the region, including neighboring Bosnia, Serbia and Slovenia.
AP
