Croatia: 'Monster' fire triggers evacuation on Brac island

Nearly 700 residents were evacuated due to a wildfire on Brac Island, Croatia, on Sunday evening. Firefighters worked tirelessly to safeguard homes and tourist accommodations from the advancing blaze, with the situation proving particularly dire near the town of Milna on the western coast. Milna Mayor Frane Lozic expressed disbelief at the fire's rapid destruction, stating, "Last night was a disaster. It was simply impossible."

The initial fire report came on Thursday, but firefighting efforts faced challenges due to the island's rugged terrain. Despite believing the situation was under control by Saturday, a sudden sea wind at 9 p.m. reignited the blaze, catching authorities off guard. Tourist ships played a crucial role in the rescue mission, with many tourists spending the night at the beach awaiting evacuation.

While no deaths were reported, a 76-year-old Croatian woman was hospitalized in critical condition after falling off a ship during the evacuation process. A 27-year-old man also required medical attention for smoke inhalation and was subsequently released. The fire is estimated to have affected around 3,500 hectares (8,600 acres) of land, causing damage to several buildings, though a comprehensive assessment of the damage is still pending.

As of Sunday morning, Croatian authorities reported that no further open fires existed, but teams remained on-site to prevent any potential reignition. Four specialized firefighting planes are currently active in the area. High-level meetings involving government ministers, the head of Croatia's national firefighting service, and local officials are scheduled to take place this afternoon to provide more insights into the incident.