Croatia wildfire near Omiš injures 14 and disrupts holiday travel

A wildfire near the coastal town of Omiš in southern Croatia injured 14 people and forced evacuations as it spread close to homes and the town centre. Seven of those taken to hospital were reported to be in a life-threatening condition early on Friday. The blaze also damaged or destroyed homes, cars and boats, while parts of the town lost power.

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Evacuees spent the night in a sports hall, sleeping on beds and floors after leaving their homes as flames advanced. Residents described chaotic scenes as they fled the fire, which prompted a large emergency response. The local fire brigade commander said numerous homes and vehicles had been destroyed, with damage also reported to the natural environment and wildlife.

Authorities said there were no fatalities. Firefighters brought the blaze under control by Friday, but crews were also deployed to another wildfire on the Pelješac peninsula. The fires broke out during Croatia's peak summer tourist season, when the Adriatic coast is at its busiest.

Sections of the main coastal road near Omiš were closed, affecting links between Split and Dubrovnik as well as day trips and coach tours. The incident matters because Omiš sits on a key stretch of Croatia's southern coast, where tourism is a major part of the local economy. Damage to homes, cafés, restaurants, cars and boats could reduce the area's tourism capacity at a time when demand is at its highest.

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Power cuts and road closures also show how quickly a wildfire can affect both residents and visitors in a busy coastal area. The response involved firefighters working to contain the flames while local authorities managed evacuations and hospital transfers. The fact that crews were needed on both the Omiš fire and the separate blaze on the Pelješac peninsula suggests wider pressure on emergency services.

The reported injuries and property losses also point to a significant local impact even though the fire was eventually brought under control. What remains unclear is the full scale of the damage and whether the injured people will recover from their conditions. It is also not yet clear what caused the fire or whether any further evacuations will be needed if conditions change.

The main points to watch are the condition of those in hospital, the reopening of the coastal road and the assessment of damage to homes and tourism businesses.

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