A group of 40 Hungarians was evacuated from Milna on the Croatian island of Brač as a major wildfire continued to threaten coastal areas. Hundreds of people were moved to safety overnight, while a 76-year-old woman was reported to be in critical condition. Hungarian authorities say they have no information about any Hungarian citizens being injured.
The wildfire, which broke out near Ložišća on 10 September, has already burned through more than 3,500 hectares of pine forest, scrubland and grassland on Brač, one of Croatia’s most popular Adriatic islands.
According to MTI, the situation became particularly serious around Milna overnight from Saturday to Sunday, as the flames spread towards Osibova Bay and Baterija. Firefighters worked through the night to protect residential buildings and other properties.
Croatian fire authorities said 227 people were moved to safety in Supetar, Postira and Bol during the night. Local media put the total number of evacuees at close to 700, although that higher figure had not been officially confirmed by the fire service by Sunday morning.
Ivana Marković, mayor of Supetar, told MTI that 45 foreign tourists had been accommodated in the town’s sports hall and that most of them were Hungarian. None had been injured.
Hungarian group evacuated from Milna
Hungary’s Foreign Ministry separately confirmed to Telex that a group of around 40 Hungarian citizens had been evacuated from Milna shortly before midnight on Saturday.
“The Consular Service received one phone call in connection with the fire, from a group of 40 Hungarians who were evacuated from Milna around midnight on Saturday. According to their account, they are safe and are receiving appropriate care at the reception centre. They did not request consular assistance for their return home,” the Foreign Ministry told Telex.
The ministry added that it had no information about any Hungarian citizens being injured in connection with the wildfire.
According to the ministry, people staying at the reception centre were later told that they could return to Milna after the road to the town was reopened, although restrictions remained in place towards the more distant port of Duboka.
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One woman in critical condition
The fire has nevertheless caused injuries and property damage. A 76-year-old woman is in critical condition after she nearly drowned while fleeing the area. Croatian media reported that she fell into the water from a boat during the evacuation. A 27-year-old man was also treated for smoke inhalation and later released from hospital.
Several buildings and vehicles were damaged, including properties in the Gava holiday resort, although firefighters managed to save numerous homes and other structures threatened by the flames.
Although conditions around Milna improved on Sunday, the wildfire remained active around the bays of Duboka and Osibova. Croatia’s firefighting service said 235 firefighters and 68 vehicles were working at the scene, with aerial units also supporting the operation.
The situation on Brač remained volatile. At around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, a separate wildfire broke out above Bol, prompting authorities to deploy local firefighters and two Canadair aircraft. Fire crews continued working to contain both blazes.
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