Rescue personnel managed to extract a significant number of people, including children, from dangerous situations in the sea off the southern Split coastal area. The operation was conducted during the night from Thursday to Friday, as residents, caught in the fire, sought refuge by entering the sea or climbing onto available vessels without supervision.
The overall operation was coordinated by the National Coordination Centre for Search and Rescue at Sea in Rijeka, in collaboration with the Split Port Authority and its branches. The first reports of people in danger were received by the system at 23:40 on 13 August, with rescue station officers in Makarska, Milna, and Hvar immediately setting off to their positions.
The intervention involved all available rescue boats from the Split Port Authority, with additional support from two police boats in coordination with the Split Police Station. The operation also included members of the Coast Guard with a fast boat of the 'Modrulj' type, officers from the Customs Administration with one boat, and the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service with a rubber dinghy.
Intensive rescue operations began on 14 August with arrival at the incident sites, with evacuations taking place between 00:15 and 02:45. Citizens also assisted in the rescue, along with a local company providing a passenger boat. In total, 194 people were rescued, with the highest concentration of those in danger in the area from Nemire to Ruskamen.
People were evacuated from the shore, from the sea, and from vessels on which they were located. After the situation stabilised, the Split Port Authority, in coordination with the MRCC in Rijeka, continued to monitor the area along the coast affected by the fire during the day to ensure continued safety.
