Omiš Fire: 40 treated at Split Hospital as seven remain on ventilators

(Photo: KBC Split)

ZAGREB, 14 Aug (Hina) – A total of 40 people injured in the fire in the area of Omiš were treated at the KBC Split hospital overnight and on Friday, with 14 admitted and seven requiring ventilators – six adults and a 17-year-old, doctors said at a news conference on Friday.

The hospital’s deputy director, Dr Marko Jukić, said emergency teams had been reinforced overnight by staff returning from leave and those who had been off duty. All patients arriving with burns and other fire-related injuries were treated, he said.

The Health Ministry has been involved from the outset, with preparations under way for the possible transfer of patients to hospitals in Zagreb, Jukić said.

Dr Josip Banović, head of the hospital’s plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery department, said 34 patients had been treated overnight and in the early morning, followed by six more with less serious injuries. Injuries included burns, smoke inhalation and trauma sustained during evacuation.

Burns covered between 15% and 60% of the body in some patients, ranging from first- to third-degree burns. Seven patients are currently intubated, including the 17-year-old.

It has yet to be decided how many patients will be transferred or to which Zagreb hospitals. Several healthcare institutions have offered assistance. The injured include one German and one Polish national; the rest are Croatian citizens.

Banović thanked staff who returned from annual leave to help, as well as the City of Split and Split-Dalmatia County.

Split Mayor Tomislav Šuta thanked residents, city companies and all emergency services for their swift response.

He said 321 people seeking assistance had been accommodated at the Gripe sports centre, adding that the city remained in constant contact with the relevant authorities and would allocate funds from its budget to provide support.

Šuta urged residents to follow official guidance, saying there was currently no need for further donations of food, drinks or other supplies.

“The Red Cross is on the ground. For now, we have enough food, drinks and other supplies. I urge residents to follow the instructions, as we currently have everything we need at Gripe,” the mayor said.

More details about the fire HERE