Hundreds Evacuated as Massive Wildfire Threatens Resort on Croatian Island of Brač
Nearly 700 tourists and residents were evacuated from the Croatian island of Brač after a massive wildfire threatened a resort, with local boats rescuing guests.
Nearly 700 tourists and residents were evacuated from the Croatian island of Brač after a massive wildfire threatened the Gava Waterman Milna Resort. Resort guests reported that while flames were already spreading, staff members assured them there was no danger, asked them to return to their rooms, and even offered them a drink to calm down. Eventually, around 50 local boats rushed to rescue vacationers from the coastline.
"It was terrifying," said 26-year-old Josh Robbins, a guest at the resort, in an interview with The Sun. According to him, about five minutes after guests were told there was no threat, he went outside and saw the flames reaching within six meters of the building. "We realized the fire was about to swallow the hotel and decided to run along the path to the wooden pier and the sea to escape," he said.
According to reports, the fire likely broke out due to lightning strikes in the area and spread eastward toward Milna. Hundreds of firefighters were deployed to battle the blaze, and Croatian authorities have since confirmed that there are no longer visible flames on the island. The local boats arrived to assist the guests around 11:00 PM. Several guests claimed on Facebook that the rescue took place about half a minute before evacuation alerts reached their phones. All evacuees were safely transferred to Split.
About a third of the resort's guests were British, many of whom had booked all-inclusive packages through TUI. "We know this was a frightening experience for those affected by the fire on the island of Brač," a TUI spokesperson said. "The safety of our customers is our top priority, and our local teams are assisting those affected and working closely with the hotel and local authorities."
