Symbol of Croatia destroyed by fire. The famous skyscraper burned down

Croatian police detained two 18-year-olds suspected of setting fire to the Vjesnik skyscraper in Zagreb, accusing them of endangering public safety. The teenagers were to take part in a challenge filmed on TikTok, Index reported on Friday.

The police determined that on Monday at approximately 22 suspects jumped over the fence around Vjesnik, a skyscraper called the symbol of the Croatian capital, and entered the building, where on the 15th floor they set fire to two cardboard boxes filled with paper, which started a fire, Index reported, citing a police statement. The suspects were allegedly accompanied by three minors, one of whom then notified the services.

The 18-year-olds were taken into custody and the police brought charges against them of “serious crimes against public safety” and “endangering life and property.”

Croatian media emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and it is still unknown how the suspects entered the building. The Index portal reported that
the entire case was part of a “challenge” filmed by the suspects for the TikTok platform.

As a result of the fire, the skyscraper that once housed the editorial office of the daily “Vjesnik” burned down almost completely. No one was injured in the fire. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced on Friday that whether Vjesnik will be rebuilt or demolished will be decided jointly by its co-owners after seeking the opinion of construction experts. The building is approximately 60 percent to state-owned companies and 40 percent to other entities.

Jakub Bawołek (PAP)

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