Milan, Aug. 14 (LaPresse/AP) — One person has died and 14 others have been hospitalized, 7 of whom are in critical condition, following a fire that broke out late yesterday evening in a suburb of Omis, a coastal city in Croatia. The flames spread rapidly due to strong winds and forced more than 1,000 people to evacuate their homes. The public broadcaster HRT reported that the fire approached the city center, while some areas of Omis were left without electricity and numerous cars were destroyed. Croatian media published images of a sports arena in Omis crowded with people, lying on beds and on the floor. Regional maritime authorities reported that 194 people, including some children, were rescued at sea and aboard various vessels as they tried to escape the flames. Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control by morning. Meanwhile, additional aircraft were dispatched further south, toward the Pelješac Peninsula, where another wildfire broke out overnight.
Fires in Croatia: One Dead and 14 Injured in Omis Blaze
Milan, Aug. 14 (LaPresse/AP) — One person has died and 14 others have been hospitalized, 7 of whom are in critical condition, following a fire that broke out late yesterday evening in a suburb of Omis, a coastal city in Croatia. The flames spread rapidly due to strong winds and forced more than 1,000 people to evacuate their homes. The public broadcaster HRT reported that the fire approached the city center, while some areas of Omis were left without electricity and numerous cars were destroyed. Croatian media published images of a sports arena in Omis crowded with people, lying on beds and on the floor. Regional maritime authorities reported that 194 people, including some children, were rescued at sea and aboard various vessels as they tried to escape the flames. Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control by morning. Meanwhile, additional aircraft were dispatched further south, toward the Pelješac Peninsula, where another wildfire broke out overnight.