Thousands Flee, 14 Hospitalised as Wildfire Menaces Croatian Coastal Town

Firefighters worked through the night as the blaze took hold in the hills around the Dalmatian seaside resort of Omis, destroying houses and cars.Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Friday that 14 people have been hospitalised, with ten in intensive care, after a wildfire that reportedly forced some 2,000 people to evacuate homes around the Dalmatian coastal town of Omis overnight. “The government and all relevant services are coordinating to protect people and rectify the consequences of the large fire in Omis,” Plenkovic wrote on X. The fire swept through forested areas to destroy property and vehicles. Chief national fire officer Slavko Tucakovic told media that he had “never experienced anything like this in my career”. “Unfortunately, many houses were damaged or burned down. A large number of vehicles were also burned up,” he said. The Croatian coast has seen record high temperatures this summer. The heatwave left dry vegetation as fuel for the fire, and the flames were spread by high winds, Tucakovic explained. Burnt-out cars and houses are seen after a wildfire near the town of Omis, Croatia, 14 August 2026. Photo: EPA/STRINGER Burnt-out cars are seen on a road after a wildfire near the town of Omis, Croatia, 14 August 2026. Photo: EPA/STRINGER A burnt-out house after a wildfire near the town of Omis, Croatia, 14 August 2026. Photo: EPA/STRINGER Croatian firemen work during the wildfire near the town of Omis, Croatia, 14 August 2026. Photo: EPA/STRINGER Burnt-out cars after a wildfire near the town of Omis, Croatia, 14 August 2026. Photo: EPA/STRINGER A damaged road sign after a wildfire near the town of Omis, Croatia, 14 August 2026. Photo: EPA/STRINGER