Zagreb building damage: Broken glass hangs over children's heads as city officials delay repairs
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Damaged buildings in Zagreb, Croatia, remain unrepaired over two months after a severe storm in March.
- Broken glass above children's walkways poses a safety risk at a building housing two kindergartens, a local community office, and a basketball club.
- Local officials are struggling to determine responsibility for repairs, with the city government reportedly not responding to inquiries.
Residents and parents in Zagreb's Rudeลก neighborhood are sounding the alarm over unrepaired storm damage to a city-owned building. Over two months after a severe storm in late March, broken glass remains precariously positioned above walkways used daily by hundreds of children attending two kindergartens.
Jura Piplica, a councilor for the Rudeลก local community, highlighted the ongoing hazard on Facebook. The building at Rudeลก 71 also houses the local community office and the Dinamo Basketball Club. Piplica stated that the corridor was damaged during the storm, and the glass continues to present a potential danger.
On June 3rd, it's raining heavily, the corridor is flooded again, glass is still hanging over the heads of hundreds of children from two kindergartens, and everything is normal for the city fathers.
"On June 3rd, it's raining heavily, the corridor is flooded again, glass is still hanging over the heads of hundreds of children from two kindergartens, and everything is normal for the city fathers," Piplica wrote. He claims to have contacted the city's education department and property management office in early April and again in late May, but has received no response.
"While they are playing games between offices, the damage is not being repaired. Shame," he added. Piplica contrasted the situation with public statements from city officials who claimed storm damage to educational institutions was quickly addressed, suggesting the Rudeลก case reveals a different reality on the ground. Veฤernji List has requested a statement from the City of Zagreb regarding the matter.
While they are playing games between offices, the damage is not being repaired. Shame.
Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.