Croatia wildfire forces hundreds to evacuate, 36 confirmed injured, seven critically

A devastating wildfire swept through the picturesque tourist town of Omis on Croatia's Dalmatian coast overnight, prompting the evacuation of roughly 1,000 residents and leaving 36 people injured, with seven suffering critical injuries. The blaze, fueled by strong winds and exacerbated by scorching temperatures and drought conditions linked to climate change, ravaged over 1,000 hectares of land, turning the night sky red above the scenic town.

Emergency shelters were set up in several towns between Omis and Split, accommodating the displaced evacuees overnight.

Chief Fire Commander Slavko Tucakovic described the fire as particularly intense, noting that it left behind significant material damage. As the fire subsided early Friday morning, no ongoing flames were reported. Portions of the firefighting force and four aircraft were redirected to tackle another blaze further south in the Peljesac peninsula, a forested area known for its vineyards.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic was en route to Omis, accompanied by several government ministers. Climate change has been cited as a key factor driving the surge in wildfires across Europe this summer, with France, Spain, and Greece among the hardest hit. The Balkans, including Croatia, has also experienced multiple heatwaves, heightening the threat of wildfires during the holiday season.

Tucakovic reported that 286 firefighters, 90 fire vehicles, and four aircraft were deployed to combat the inferno throughout the night. A key coastal highway was closed, and Goran Lović, owner of a nearby cafe, recounted the sudden onset of the fire, describing it as an abrupt and terrifying event.