Massive wildfire near Omiš claims one life and injures dozens more

The fire broke out at roughly 8PM on Thursday evening. Carried by strong winds the fire consumed houses, cars and boats, as well as roughly 1,000 hectares of agricultural land (primarily olive groves) and pine forest. Firefighters fought the blaze throughout the night, and together with aerial support, managed to localize the blaze on Friday morning.

A catastrophic wildfire near Omiš has claimed one life, seriously injured dozens more, and forced some two thousand people to flee to four evacuation centers. The Deputy Mayor of Split, Matea Dorčić: "We're aware that people won't be able to return to their homes or accommodations very soon, so all emergency services have been deployed, and we're monitoring the situation. Obviously, we'll make sure everyone has food, shelter and everything they need in the coming hours."

An investigation into what caused the fire is ongoing. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković visited the scene today, noting that help is on its way for the local population, but also that help will be provided to tourists caught in the carnage: "Insomuch as tourists, who have had their summer vacations abruptly ended, need additional help in contacting their embassies so that they can get travel documents and return home, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be at their disposal."

President Zoran Milanović also visited Omiš today, where he thanked firefighters for their courageous efforts to contain the blaze. He also offered his prayers for those injured in the blaze: "I want to express my support and human understanding for all those who were injured in the fire, their families, with the hope that they all survive and recover. But that's in the doctor's hands now. This was a horrible natural disaster, and maybe it wasn't natural. That too remains to be seen. I also want to express my respect and thanks to all those who fought the fire."

Forty people were injured in the fire, with fourteen requiring hospitalization. Seven of the patients are in critical condition, with burns covering up to sixty percent of their bodies. Health Minister Irena Hrstić visited them on Friday, and confirmed that four of the patients had been transported to Zagreb: "After stabilizing the patients, the doctors determined that it would be best to transfer the patients to Zagreb. They departed by road, as it was determined that driving would be a better option insomuch as there is a need for medical treatment along the way, because it is easier to do so in an ambulance rather than a helicopter."

Meanwhile, a new blaze erupted near Zadar today, engulfing olive groves and pine forest, while a new large fire also broke out on the Pelješac peninsula this morning. With regard to the fire on the Pelješac peninsula, Dubrovnik-Neretva County Fire Chief Stjepan Simović said that all available forces are on the ground: "All told, things look a little better now, we've focused all of our forces on the southern side of the fire. The western face is a little more difficult because it's very steep, but I'm hoping that we'll be able to get the job done."

"Right now the water bombers are drenching the ground as much as possible, because of the wind picks up again tonight the situation can change in a split second, we've already seen how quickly things happened in Omiš," added Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Davor Božinović.

For his part Deputy Prime Minister and Construction, Spatial Planning and State Property Minister Branko Bačić said that inaccessible terrain is hampering firefighters efforts to extinguish the fire: "After the meeting all firefighters were deployed to high risk and difficult locations so that we can keep these wildfires under control as much as that is possible in these conditions. The terrain is incredibly difficult, it's steep. Those who have been to the southern slopes of Pelješac and the beautiful Dingač vineyard know what it means to walk that steep terrain."

Source: HRT