Croatia Arrests Four Suspected of Starting 10 Coastal Forest Fires

Croatian authorities have arrested four individuals, three Croatian nationals and one Polish national, on suspicion of deliberately starting 10 fires along the country's coast. Police apprehended the suspects on August 15th after responding to reports of fires being set. The suspects were found in a vehicle with Croatian license plates.

According to a police statement, the four suspects are believed to have intentionally ignited fires at 10 different locations in Zadar and its surroundings using lighters and flammable materials, with the aim of harming people and property. The fires caused material damage, and firefighting crews, aided by weather conditions, extinguished the blazes. Investigations into the extent of the damage are ongoing.

Croatian media reported that the arrested Croatian nationals are of Serbian origin and that the Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime (USKOK) has joined the investigation due to terrorism concerns. Searches of the suspects' residences, other locations, and vehicles uncovered one rifle and 44 rounds of ammunition. One suspect was found with a pistol and multiple mobile phones.

Separately, a large forest fire near the city of Omis on August 13th is also suspected to have been intentionally set. That fire resulted in the death of a Bosnian woman, injuries to dozens, and the evacuation of approximately 2,500 people. Over a thousand hectares of land were burned, and 106 vehicles, 28 homes, and 45 boats were destroyed as the flames reached the city center. Local residents have claimed the fire was arson, providing security camera footage to the police.

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The four suspects are suspected of intentionally starting fires at 10 points in Zadar and its surroundings using lighters and flammable materials with the aim of attacking people's lives and property, in accordance with a plan.