Memories: 46 years since the devastating earthquake, the day time stood still in Banja Luka

46 years ago, the most destructive earthquake occurred on 27 October 1969 in Banja Luka. It began with an unusually strong "foreshock" on the night of 26 October at 2:55 AM. The tremors continued until 8:53 when time stood still for Banja Luka. The people of Banja Luka will always remember 8°MCS / 6°Richter, writes the Patria news agency.

The earthquake devastated the city in 1969. It claimed 15 lives, and a thousand people were seriously or lightly injured. Material damage was enormous. A total of 86,000 apartments were completely destroyed, and great damage was inflicted on schools (266), cultural facilities (146), health facilities (133), social and public administration buildings (152).

The economy suffered significant losses at the time. All companies operated with significantly reduced capacities in the following period, and some completely ceased production.

The city of youth was left without it for the first time. Buses took primary and secondary school students out of Banja Luka, who finished the school year in various parts of the former Yugoslavia.