HGSS found the remains of the missing plane and two dead people

The search for a missing ultra-light aircraft and two deceased individuals has concluded with the discovery of the plane’s remains and the bodies near the village of Struge, located in the area of Paklenica. The operation was completed around 10 p.m., when members of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) found the wreckage and the two bodies in a difficult-to-reach location close to the mountain refuge. The incident began earlier on August 21, at approximately 4:14 p.m., when the Croatian Air Traffic Control informed the Operational Center for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Interior that the signal of an ultra-light aircraft marked DKWZE had been lost. The aircraft was flying from the Czech Republic towards Zagreb. The signal was last detected 17 miles northeast of Zagreb. In response, the Operational Center initiated a search and rescue operation, deploying personnel from the Civil Protection Services of Zadar and Gospić, police officers, firefighters, and teams from HGSS stations in Zadar and Gospić. As part of the effort, the State Intervention Unit of the Civil Protection Service in Split and Rijeka was activated, equipped with command vehicles, drones, and night-searching equipment. According to data from flight tracking websites such as Flight Radar and FlightAware, the aircraft in question was an ultra-light model known as the HK36TC Eco Super Dimona, manufactured by Austrian company Diamond Aircraft. The search conditions were challenging, with nearly zero visibility due to thick fog, wind, and intermittent rain. These adverse weather conditions made the terrain particularly hazardous. “When we arrived at the site, visibility was almost non-existent,” stated Petar Prpić, spokesperson for HGSS. He added that the team had used its analytical unit to process all available data and pinpoint a micro-location where the aircraft might have landed. At 10 p.m., the teams confirmed they had found the aircraft's remains and, tragically, two bodies inside. Authorities on the scene include the police, who will soon begin their investigation into the cause of the accident. However, at this stage, officials have not yet disclosed the nationalities of the deceased individuals. It is understood that both victims were foreign nationals. The operation involved a coordinated effort among multiple agencies, including local civil protection units, emergency services, and specialized rescue teams. The involvement of drones and advanced technology highlights the complexity of the search, especially given the remote and rugged nature of the terrain. The incident underscores the risks associated with ultra-light aviation, particularly in unpredictable weather conditions. While the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, the circumstances suggest that environmental factors played a significant role in the outcome. As the authorities continue their work, the focus remains on determining the full sequence of events leading to the loss of the aircraft and the tragic loss of life.