Rescue dogs are being used to search for survivors in Petrinja, Croatia, after the powerful earthquake on Tuesday which wreaked havoc across the town around 50 kilometers south of the country's capital Zagreb.

The dogs were called upon for their strong sense of smell, coupled with their ability to reach areas difficult for humans to access.

Meanwhile, people searched safer terrain to look for any residents trapped under the debris of buildings collapsed by the force of the 6.4 magnitude quake.

Read more: Many injured as earthquake topples buildings in Croatia 

CLICK: THE IMAGES THAT CAPTURED AN UNFORGETTABLE YEAR

The local government has set up containers serving as temporary accommodation to help people who have lost their houses.

Petrinja resident Ivan was one of those who lost their home during the quake. "Everything is destroyed. I don't have anything left in my home. Everything crumbled, and that's it," he said.

The earthquake has so far taken the lives of seven people, including a 12-year-old girl. The tremors were felt as far as neighboring Bosnia and Serbia.

Meanwhile, the country's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who has brought in the military to support the rescue and aid efforts, has said the government will pledge $19.5m to help those worst affected.

Video editing: James Sandifer