Croatian Coastal Town Battles Overnight Wildfire, Forcing Mass Evacuations
A wildfire near the Croatian town of Omis injured at least 36 people, forced over 1,000 to evacuate, and was brought under control by Friday morning.
Firefighters in the Croatian coastal town of Omis worked through the night to contain a fast-moving wildfire that turned the sky orange and forced more than a thousand residents to flee their homes.
The blaze erupted late Thursday in a suburb of Omis and spread rapidly due to strong winds. By Friday morning, the fire was reported under control, allowing crews to shift their focus to a separate wildfire that had broken out overnight on the Peljesac peninsula further south.
At least 36 people from Omis sought medical care during the emergency. Of those, 14 were hospitalized, including seven individuals who remained in life-threatening condition, according to local authorities.
The fire came dangerously close to the town center, leaving parts of Omis without electricity and destroying numerous vehicles. Witnesses told public broadcaster HRT that some boats caught fire, prompting people to jump into the sea for safety.
Local media published images from a crowded sports hall in Omis, where evacuated residents were seen sleeping on beds and on the floor. Firefighting crews, supported by multiple trucks, battled the flames through the night, with some structures, including houses, catching fire before the blaze was subdued.