Hundreds of people, including British tourists, were evacuated from Brač Island in Croatia following the outbreak of a large fire. Reports indicate that some of them mentioned fleeing to the sea as the only option for survival.
Fleeing the Fire
About 500 people were evacuated from Brač Island, located near the coastal city of Split, many of whom were guests at the Waterman Milna Hotel. Tourists at this hotel stated that they had to go into the sea to escape the fire, and some believe they were left to fend for themselves during the evacuation.
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Josh Robbins, 26, and his fiancée Shelby Akort told reporters that when they exited their room, they found the hotel courtyard "surrounded by a wall of fire." They had to flee quickly and were caught under a rain of burning embers as the flames approached them.
Rescue Efforts
Boats were dispatched to rescue those trapped on the island. These boats included speedboats, fishing boats, and vessels belonging to the Croatian Navy and port authorities.
Shelby Akort described the rescue efforts, saying: "It was a terrifying situation. We were in the water trying to get to the boat. Fortunately, they stopped, and we were able to board. It was a matter of life and death." She also noted that Josh lost his shoes while swimming and had to leave some of his belongings behind.
Steve Sanders, 57, from Kent, said that he and his wife were completely abandoned and received no instructions. Josh Robbins added that the hotel "did not manage the situation well" and no warnings were given to guests.
Evacuation and Fire Situation
The mayor of Milna, Fran Lužić, described the fire as a "disaster" and added that the speed of the fire's spread was very rapid. Officials estimated that about 3,500 hectares have been burned in this fire, and a full assessment of the damages is still underway.
Croatia is experiencing its worst year for wildfires since 2022. According to data from the European Forest Fire Information System, over 20,800 hectares have burned in 59 wildfires in the country so far this year.
Source: independent.co.uk
