Nearly 700 evacuated on Croatia’s Brač island due to fire — DW
Nearly 700 people were evacuated from Croatia’s Brač island due to a large-scale fire, Croatian media reported. The blaze threatened residential homes and tourist accommodations, and the situation was particularly difficult near the town of Milna on the island’s western coast, Deutsche Welle English writes.
Terrain complicated firefighting efforts
The fire was first reported on Thursday. Difficult-to-access terrain complicated efforts to extinguish it. More than 220 firefighters battled the blaze overnight, with 69 vehicles deployed.
Milna Mayor Frane Lozić said that on Saturday, authorities considered the situation to be under control. According to him, a sea wind began blowing at around 9 p.m., after which the fire again spread rapidly. The blaze, which initially engulfed remote areas of the island, began threatening populated coastal areas.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Tourist boats joined the nighttime evacuation. Some tourists waited to be evacuated on the beach. AFP estimates that the fire covered about 3,500 hectares.
There are casualties
No deaths were recorded as a result of the fire. However, a 76-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition. According to the Index.hr portal, she likely fell from a vessel during the evacuation. Another man, aged 27, received medical assistance for smoke inhalation and was then released.
Officials confirmed that buildings were damaged by the fire but said it was too early to assess the full extent of the damage. As of Sunday morning, Croatian authorities reported that there were no longer any active fire fronts. At the same time, rescuers remained at the site to prevent reignition, while four specialized firefighting aircraft were operating in the area.
