3 dead, 1 missing after catamaran and sailboat collision between Šolta and Brač

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SPLIT, 14 June 2026 – A major search and rescue operation is underway off the Croatian coast after a passenger vessel collided with a French-flagged sailing yacht in the area known as Splitska Vrata, the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure have confirmed in a statement.

Croatia’s National Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Rijeka (MRCC Rijeka) said it was coordinating an extensive rescue effort following the serious maritime accident, which occurred shortly before 11:30 local time on Sunday.

According to the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, the Port Authority in Split received a report of the collision at 11:34.

The information was immediately forwarded to MRCC Rijeka, which launched a coordinated search and rescue operation using all available resources.

Based on information currently available, a passenger vessel operated by a private Croatian company collided with a French-flagged sailing yacht near Splitska Vrata.

The yacht subsequently sank.

At the time of the accident, there were 118 passengers and seven crew members on board the passenger vessel. Eight people were on the sailing yacht.

Authorities said three people aboard the yacht lost their lives, while one person remains missing. Four others were rescued from the sea following the sinking.

A large-scale search operation remains in progress. Rescue vessels from the Split Port Authority and its branch offices have been deployed, alongside police boats from the Maritime and Airport Police in Split.

Emergency medical teams, including a helicopter unit, have also been engaged, together with other specialist services trained to respond to emergencies at sea and on land. All activities are being coordinated by MRCC Rijeka.

The circumstances surrounding the collision are expected to be investigated once rescue operations have been completed.