One dead in Croatia wildfire after being trapped by flames

A devastating wildfire near Omiš, Croatia, has claimed at least one life, with reports indicating the victim became trapped by the rapidly spreading flames. The fire, which raged through Lokva Rogoznica and threatened Omiš, has left a trail of destruction, including extensive material damage and over 40 injuries.

Eyewitness accounts suggest the deceased, a young person whose identity is unconfirmed, was traveling in a vehicle with three other individuals. When the car was caught near the Adriatic highway, the occupants exited. They soon found themselves encircled by the fire, and tragically, one person could not escape.

Two women who were also in the vehicle reportedly managed to flee the inferno but sustained serious injuries. The full extent of the tragedy was discovered during a sweep of the burnt area. The fire also endangered numerous houses and apartments, forcing the evacuation of some residents and tourists.

Firefighters battled the blaze, which spread from Lokva Rogoznica towards Omiš, reaching areas above the town. Air support was deployed, and between 200 and 250 firefighters worked on the ground. The strong Bura wind, expected to intensify, complicated firefighting efforts. The full scale of the material damage is still being assessed and is expected to take days to calculate.