Nearly 700 people were evacuated by sea overnight as a wildfire threatened Milna on Croatia’s Brač island.

Nearly 700 people were evacuated by sea overnight after a major wildfire threatened Milna and surrounding areas on Croatia’s Brač island, with firefighting and search operations continuing Sunday as authorities worked to prevent the blaze from reigniting.

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The evacuation began at 9:56 p.m. Saturday after authorities received reports of people in danger along the island’s western coast as the fire spread toward the Milna area. By 4 a.m. Sunday, tourist vessels had evacuated another 500 people, bringing the total number evacuated by sea to about 700.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Center Rijeka, working with the Split Harbor Master’s Office, coordinated the operation. Four rescue boats from the harbor master’s office and its stations in Milna, Hvar and Makarska were deployed, alongside vessels from Split’s maritime and airport police, the Croatian Coast Guard, Brodospas tugboats, pilot boats, the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service and private operators.

A Croatian Armed Forces vessel, the Omiš, joined the operation shortly after midnight to receive and assist people evacuated from Osibova Bay. Two fast Modrulj-class boats were also deployed.

A preliminary assessment by the Split Harbor Master’s Office found that about 200 people, including children, elderly people and other vulnerable individuals, were in potentially dangerous situations as the fire approached. Rescue vessels operated by the harbor master’s office and its associated stations transported 185 of them, while tourist boats carried another 500 people.

Medical personnel were placed aboard the rescue vessels in coordination with the Split-Dalmatia County emergency medical service in case assistance was needed.

No deaths reported

No deaths have been reported in the fire. A 76-year-old Croatian woman was hospitalized in critical condition after she apparently fell from a ship during the evacuation, according to Croatian news portal Index.hr. A 27-year-old man was treated for smoke inhalation and later released.

The fire was first reported Thursday, but difficult terrain complicated firefighting efforts. Milna Mayor Frane Lozic said authorities had believed the situation was under control Saturday before strong sea winds caused the blaze to intensify.

“Last night was a disaster. It was simply impossible,” Lozic told Croatian news outlet Net.hr. He said he had not expected the fire to destroy everything in its path so quickly.

The fire affected an estimated 3,500 hectares (8,600 acres), according to AFP. Several buildings were damaged, although authorities said it was too early for a full assessment.

Firefighting and search operations continue

By Sunday morning, authorities reported that there were no remaining open fires, but additional firefighting teams remained deployed to prevent the blaze from reigniting. Four specialized firefighting aircraft were also operating in the area.

Following the evacuation, crews continued searching the affected coastline and surrounding Brač archipelago under searchlights for anyone who might still need assistance. Monitoring and rescue operations remained active while the threat to people in the affected areas persisted.

Two Croatian government ministers and the head of the national firefighting service were due to meet Sunday afternoon with local officials and firefighting team leaders on Brač to discuss the situation and provide further information.

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