In brief
Late on Thursday night a fierce wildfire ignited near Lokva Rogoznica, under relentless wind bursting toward Omiš and Split. Evacuation orders spread across 1,200 residents, tourists, and thousands of people fled into emergency shelters. The blaze scorched 1,000 hectares in just four hours, killing at least one person and injuring around 40. Authorities described it as one of Croatia’s worst blazes while European firefighters battle an escalating heatwave.
Late Thursday night, a roaring wildfire broke out near the village of Lokva Rogoznica on Croatia’s Adriatic coast. In a matter of minutes, the blaze sprinted toward the tourist town of Omiš, flamed 1,000 hectares, and whipped through pine‑lined hills as strong winds pushed it fast.
Heavy evacuation orders were issued, sending about 1,200 residents and tourists to emergency shelters. Hospitals reported 10 people in intensive care and confirmed one fatality. Prime minister Andrej Plenković praised firefighters’ work and said the disaster was “one of the most severe in our history.”
Across Europe the heatwave is sparking other wildfires: Greek resorts saw 200‑plus people evacuated by boat, German villages lost 2,000 residents, and England and Wales issued very high risk alerts. The crisis underlines how climate change is shoring up once‑seemingly safe coastlines.
