The battle against flames near Brbinj, on Croatia’s Dugi Otok island, continued uninterrupted throughout the night. The steep terrain and dense vegetation have made it difficult for firefighters to bring the blaze under control.
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The fire broke out on Friday evening and spread rapidly. Around 100 firefighters were involved in the operation, while reinforcements of about 50 additional personnel and 17 vehicles arrived on the island overnight.
The flames are concentrated on two fronts, one about one kilometre long and the other 600 metres. According to firefighters, the operation is particularly complicated because of the steep slopes, lack of access and dense Mediterranean vegetation.
The situation is further exacerbated by scattered homes in the surrounding areas. A large-scale fire also struck Omis, causing significant damage and one death. Hundreds of residents and tourists were urgently evacuated from the town, located around 25 kilometres southeast of Split.
Fanned by strong winds, the flames moved towards the coastal town. When the fire approached the centre, some parts of Omis were left without electricity. Homes, vehicles and boats were damaged or destroyed, while fires were also reported in Mostar.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic stressed the seriousness of the danger and praised the work of firefighters. Speaking to reporters, he said: “The fires spread at lightning speed.” He added: “What the firefighters managed to save is truly a miracle.”
Germany, England, France and Greece are also facing similar emergencies. In Germany, fires forced the evacuation of 2,000 people. In the United Kingdom, after Thursday marked the hottest day of the year, firefighters spent Friday tackling flames in the West Midlands, in central England. The ambulance service said that 19 people were admitted to hospital.
In southwestern France, a fire swept through pine forests in the Landes region, forcing 525 residents to leave. This area has also been affected by major fires earlier this year.
In northern Greece, residents wearing face masks, including people carrying children or pets, left the coastal town of Siviri in inflatable boats and other vessels. A local forest was engulfed by fire, while thick clouds of smoke turned the sky dark grey.
