Around 90 sinkholes, up to 15-meters-wide wide, have been appearing around a small village in central Croatia, leaving locals to fear for their property. 

The depressions started after a deadly 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Croatia in December, killing seven people and leaving huge material damage. 

The quake was felt in the capital Zagreb, but the country's central regions were worst affected. Now villagers in Mecencani are watching on helplessly as the sinkholes materialize right next to their homes. 

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Andja Jelecevic. "I was told to leave the place immediately and that I could go back only at my own responsibility."

Jelecevic is now living in a temporary container home in her neighbor's yard.

"We feel very uncomfortable," said another resident, Stojan Kresojevic. "The sinkholes are around us, the uncertainty is killing us. We don't know if we will be forced to leave. These holes are dangerous as they open up suddenly with water spurting out." 

Sinkholes are not uncommon in the area, but the sheer numbers that have appeared in such a short space of time have concerned experts.

"We can expect the sinkholes to continue appearing in the coming months when we expect high groundwater levels," said geologist Ivan Kosovic. "That is why we now need regular monitoring," he added.

Video editor: Jason Wright