Sailors killed in Mali Lošinj mourned on Assumption Day

As Catholic pilgrims flocked to Marian shrines around the country on Assumption Day, it was a solemn day at the Shrine of Our Lady of Trsat in Rijeka with thoughts and prayers turned to the families of the three men killed in a ferry accident in Mali Lošinj on Sunday.

Our Lady of Trsat is the patron saint of sailors and services there on Thursday were dedicated to the three Jadrolinija crewmen who were crushed under the ramp of the Lastovo ferry.

"Today is particularly significant as we think of Boško, Marko, and Denis, all of the people who are mourning them, their families, friends, and co-workers, we see that in the human experience of death words are not enough. We cannot even describe the pain and sadness we are feeling,” said Father Milan Krišto in his homily.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who attended the pilgrims’ service in Trsat on Thursday morning, offered his condolences to the families of the men.

"I am especially glad that the service was dedicated to the Jadrolinija sailors who died. I would like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to the Kostović, Šarić, and Topić families, their coworkers and everyone at Jadrolinija,” said Plenković.

Funeral services for the sailors will be held Friday and Saturday.

It has been four days since the ferry’s ramp collapsed, killing the three sailors and seriously injuring another man, while a third crewmember is in hospital for psychiatric trauma treatment. The cause of the accident remains unclear.

Two investigations are ongoing: one by the police and the other by the agency that oversees air, water, and rail transportation safety.

The Prime Minister said the facts needed to be determined before any kind of blame could be placed.

The PM added that Sea and Transportation Minister Oleg Butković and Jadrolinija CEO David Sopta had his full support.

"I have no doubts. There is no chance that we would yield to outside pressure on any decision until we have the facts,” said Plenković.

The PM's reference to outside pressure prompted a response from Jadrolinija union leader Ivan Srzentić.

"If, in a state-run company, in the 21st century, the union cannot express its opinion and it is described as applying pressure, then we're back in the 19th century,” said the union leader.

Minister Oleg Butković said the government would continue the dialogue with unions.

"I understand the anger and frustration and I understand that the unions are also in shock over this event and that they want things to get better. That is in our interest as well. So, we will continue working together,” said Butković.

The PM also defended the decision not to travel to Mali Lošinj after the accident, saying that the visit would not have added anything to the efforts in its aftermath and that all of the relevant agencies and services were already at the site.