Hundreds flee Croatia island fire

On the Croatian Adriatic island of Brac, approximately 500 residents have been evacuated as a wildfire ravages the popular tourist destination, renowned for its pristine white sand beach. Authorities issued a warning just before midnight, as flames approached homes in the town of Milna, located on the western part of the island.

With strong winds fueling the flames, the fire has scorched an area equivalent to two-thirds of Manhattan, covering about 3,500 hectares. Two individuals were injured, with one sustaining severe injuries, according to firefighters who spoke to the Hina news agency.

Firefighting chief Nikola Martinic Dragan expressed optimism, stating that they believe they have a good chance of containing the fire by the end of the day. Four Canadair water-bombing airplanes have been actively battling the blaze since the morning, while over 220 firefighters, supported by 69 vehicles, have been working tirelessly throughout the night to extinguish the inferno.

To assist in the evacuation efforts, several boats from the harbormaster's office and the maritime police, along with private vessels, have been deployed to transport people away from the areas at risk of being engulfed by the flames. In total, the wildfire has destroyed approximately 3,500 hectares of pine forest and scrubland, as reported by Hina, citing a senior firefighter.

Croatia has experienced an exceptionally hot and dry summer, creating catastrophic conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread. Scientists have long warned that climate change, driven by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, is causing extreme heatwaves and prolonged droughts, making such catastrophic events more frequent, intense, and prolonged.