A fire near Omis, Croatia, forced the evacuation of about 1,200 people
A massive fire near the Croatian town of Omis, about 25 kilometers southeast of Split, forced about 1,200 local residents and tourists to evacuate overnight from Thursday to Friday. Strong winds drove the flames toward the coastal town.
According to Euronews, 14 people were taken to hospitals. As of Friday morning, seven of them were reported to be in life-threatening condition. As the fire approached the center of Omis, part of the town lost power.
Homes, cars, and boats were damaged or destroyed. Evacuees spent the night in a sports hall, where they slept on beds and on the floor. Slavko Tuchakovich, commander of the Omish fire brigade, reported that numerous homes and vehicles were destroyed, and the fire caused significant damage to property, the natural environment, and wildlife.
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By Friday, firefighters had managed to bring the fire under control. Crews were also deployed to another forest fire on the Pelješac Peninsula. According to authorities, there were no fatalities.
Certain sections of the main coastal road near Omis have been closed, affecting travel between Split and Dubrovnik, as well as day trips and bus tours at the height of the summer tourist season.
