Croatian rescuers save 194 people as wildfire drives residents into sea

(Photo: Lučke kapetanije Split)

ZAGREB, 14 August 2026 – Croatian maritime rescue teams saved 194 people overnight after a major wildfire along the Dalmatian coast forced residents and others to flee towards the sea and seek refuge on boats.

The coordinated rescue operation began at 23:40 on Thursday, 13 August, following reports of people, including children, in the sea and on unattended vessels as they attempted to escape the advancing fire.

Rescue boats from the Split Harbour Master’s Office and its stations in Makarska, Milna and Hvar were deployed to the affected areas. They were joined by two police boats, a fast Modrulj vessel from the Croatian Coast Guard, a Customs Administration boat and a Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) inflatable boat.

Civilians and a local company operating a passenger vessel also assisted in the emergency response.

The main rescue effort took place between 00:15 and 02:45 on Friday, with rescuers evacuating people from the coastline, the sea and vessels onto which they had climbed to escape the fire.

(Photo: Lučke kapetanije Split)

(Photo: Lučke kapetanije Split)

The largest concentration of people rescued was reported in the coastal area between Nemira and Ruskamen, south-east of Omiš.

Authorities said the final number of people rescued from the sea and fire-affected coastal areas will only be established once the danger has passed and all rescue operations have been completed, as other emergency services, local residents and companies were also involved.

(Photo: Lučke kapetanije Split)

Following the intensive overnight operation, maritime authorities continued preventive patrols along the fire-affected coastline on Friday, coordinated with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Rijeka.

(Photo: Lučke kapetanije Split)

The operation came as a large wildfire spread along the Omiš area and southern Split coast, prompting evacuations and placing significant pressure on emergency services.