Croatia wildfire forces hundreds to evacuate, 36 confirmed injured, seven critically

A fierce wildfire swept through the tourist town of Omis on Croatia's Dalmatian coast, forcing the evacuation of approximately 1,000 residents and injuring dozens. Strong winds fanned the flames, which engulfed homes and trees, burning over 1,000 hectares and turning the night sky red.

Health officials reported that 36 people were treated by ambulance services, with 14 hospitalized. Seven individuals sustained life-threatening injuries. Emergency shelters were established to accommodate the displaced population. Chief Fire Commander Slavko Tucakovic described the fire as "strong" and noted "huge material damage."

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It was a strong fire, it swept everything on its way... there has been huge material damage.

By Friday morning, the fire appeared to have subsided, with no open flames visible. Firefighting forces were redeployed to another blaze further south. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic was reportedly en route to Omis with government ministers. This incident occurs amidst a summer of intense heatwaves and drought across Europe, conditions scientists attribute to climate change, which have fueled numerous wildfires, particularly in France, Spain, and Greece, threatening the crucial tourism season.

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Everything flared up in a second. It just happened all of a sudden, there was an open flame in the part where there is a forest and no houses.