Major wildfire on Croatian coast injures 40, forces thousands to evacuate

ZAGREB, Croatia — A large forest fire that broke out Thursday night along Croatia's Adriatic coast has injured at least 40 people, ten of them seriously, and forced more than 2,000 tourists and residents to leave their accommodation, according to Croatian Fire Service chief Slavko Tucaković. The fire, which Tucaković described to AFP as one of the worst in Croatia's history, has scorched an estimated 900 to 1,000 hectares. The blaze began Thursday evening in the coastal settlement of Lokva Rogoznica and spread rapidly under strong winds, first through pine forests and vegetation before reaching homes in the tourist area and advancing toward towns and villages in the direction of Omiš. Tucaković said the fire moved faster than firefighters could respond, causing heavy damage to populated areas along the coast. Around 300 firefighters worked through the night to contain the flames. The Croatian Fire and Rescue Service said several shelter centers have been opened in the neighboring coastal cities of Split and Makarska to accommodate displaced residents and tourists. No further details on the fire's containment were immediately available.