Flames force mass sea evacuation on Croatia’s Brač Island

Nearly 700 people were evacuated by sea overnight after a major wildfire threatened the town of Milna and surrounding areas on Croatia’s Brač island, as firefighting and search operations continued.

The evacuation began at 9:56 p.m. on September 12 after authorities received reports of people in danger along the island’s western coast as the fire advanced toward Milna. By 4 a.m. September 13, tourist vessels had evacuated another 500 people, bringing the total number of people evacuated by sea to around 700.

The operation was coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Rijeka and the Split Harbor Master’s Office, with numerous rescue vessels involved, including boats from Milna, Hvar and Makarska, the Croatian Coast Guard, maritime and airport police, tugboats, pilot boats, the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service and private operators.

A Croatian Armed Forces vessel, the Omiš, joined the operation shortly after midnight to assist evacuees from Osibova Bay, while two fast Modrulj-class boats were also deployed.

A preliminary assessment found that around 200 people, including children, elderly residents and other vulnerable individuals, were in potentially dangerous situations as the flames approached. Rescue vessels transported 185 of them, while tourist boats carried another 500.

Medical teams were stationed aboard rescue vessels as a precaution. No deaths have been reported, although a 76-year-old Croatian woman was hospitalized in critical condition after apparently falling from a vessel during the evacuation. A 27-year-old man was treated for smoke inhalation and later released.

The fire, first reported on September 10, has burned an estimated 3,500 hectares (8,600 acres). Difficult terrain hampered firefighting efforts, while strong sea winds caused the blaze to intensify after authorities believed it was under control.

“Last night was a disaster. It was simply impossible,” Milna Mayor Frane Lozic told Croatian news outlet Net.hr, saying he had not expected the fire to destroy everything in its path so quickly.

By September 13 morning, authorities said there were no active fires, but additional firefighting crews and four specialized aircraft remained deployed to prevent the blaze from reigniting. Search teams also continued combing the affected coastline and nearby areas for anyone who might still require assistance.

By Vafa Guliyeva