Croatia Wildfire Claims One Life, Evacuates 1,200

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:38:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Tens of miles of fire tore through Croatia’s coast, leaving thousands rescued and dozens injured. Authority says it is one of the country’s worst blazes ever.

A devastating wildfire erupted in Croatia’s coastal region Thursday night, destroying landscapes and forcing the evacuation of at least 1,200 residents and tourists. At least one person died and around 40 others were injured, with 10 in intensive care. Firefighters battled a 1,000‑hectare blaze accelerated by gale‑force winds, while emergency shelters opened along the coast. The incident underscores the growing severity of European wildfires amid extreme heat and dry conditions.

At Least One Person Dies as Croatia’s Coastal Fire Rages

On Thursday night, a severe wildfire that started near Lokva Rogoznica rapidly spread to the tourist town of Omis, burning through pine forests and homes.

The blaze forced the evacuation of about 1,200 people, while authorities confirmed 40 injuries and one fatality. Ten people remain in intensive care at local hospitals.

Firefighters say the fire consumed 1,000 hectares in four hours, driven by strong winds. Over 300 crews were deployed overnight, but the flames pushed many residents to flee by sea.

Prime minister Andrej Plenkovic praised emergency crews for halting the blaze and said what they saved was “truly a miracle.” Emergency shelters opened in several coastal towns to accommodate evacuees.

In the broader context, several European nations are battling simultaneous wildfires, with Greece and Germany reporting mass evacuations and the UK issuing high‑risk alerts.