Over 500 flee fire by seeking refuge in the sea; rescuers praise community effort

More than 500 people escaped a devastating fire near Omiš, Croatia, by fleeing into the sea. The blaze caused extensive material damage, the full extent of which is still being determined. Residents are gradually returning to their homes in areas where power has been restored, but some families have lost virtually everything, including homes, money, and personal belongings.

The most dramatic scenes unfolded along the coast, where numerous individuals were forced into the water to escape the flames. Mario Popovac, who had also assisted during a fire the previous year, was among those who immediately joined the rescue efforts. He and his friends navigated through thick smoke and strong winds to reach people stranded by the fire.

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We stopped the boat and saw dozens of people in the sea. It was difficult to get close and pull them out, so we approached stern-first and then pulled them towards the boat with a paddle.

"We stopped the boat and saw dozens of people in the sea," Popovac recounted. "It was difficult to get close and pull them out, so we approached stern-first and then pulled them towards the boat with a paddle." Among those rescued were a heavily pregnant woman and parents with young children. Popovac's first trip alone brought 27 people aboard, including seven children aged four or five.

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The parents tried to hold the children, but the waves and wind were splashing them. The first two or three trips were chaotic.

"The parents tried to hold the children, but the waves and wind were splashing them. The first two or three trips were chaotic," he said. "Later, people called us from the beaches, so access became easier." He noted that the dense smoke significantly hampered their search efforts, initially making it impossible to see people in the water. They relied on voices and shouts to guide them, with some individuals found 50 to 100 meters offshore.

Many other boat owners quickly joined the rescue. Popovac highlighted a friend who managed to fit 20 people onto a small, four-meter boat before transferring them to a larger vessel for transport to safety. "You could see the fight for survival in their eyes," Popovac said. "I'm glad that fellow citizens came out with their boats. We all passed each other, helped each other, and shared water. People did their best to rescue others."

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I'm glad that fellow citizens came out with their boats. We all passed each other, helped each other, and shared water. People did their best to rescue others.