Hours passed in a violent storm: rescuers found the wreckage of a small plane

Rescuers found the wreckage of a small aircraft and two bodies in severe weather conditions around 22:00 local time, according to reports from Slovenian media. The search operation, which had been ongoing since Friday afternoon, concluded with the discovery of the crash site near the Paklenica area within the National Park. The location was difficult to access due to heavy rainfall and rugged terrain. Police from the Liska-Senj police station have secured the area and continue with further procedures. An inspection of the site will take place in the early morning hours. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon when an ultra-light aircraft crashed in the region of the National Park Paklenica. Initial unofficial reports indicated that two people were aboard the plane. The aircraft, flying from the Czech Republic towards Zagreb, lost contact shortly after 16:00 local time. Search efforts were complicated by adverse weather conditions, including heavy rains that made the area inaccessible. According to data from tracking services such as Flight Radar and FlightAware, the aircraft involved was an ultra-light model HK36TC Eco Super Dimona manufactured by the Austrian company Diamond Aircraft. Search teams from the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) located the wreckage under challenging conditions. The rescue operation required navigating through heavily flooded areas and treacherous mountain paths. At one point, the search was temporarily halted due to worsening weather. However, rescuers managed to reach the crash site and identified the wreckage. In addition to the aircraft debris, they discovered two bodies. This information was later confirmed by the Liska-Senj police station, which stated that both victims were recovered from the scene. The involvement of state intervention units from the Civil Protection Agency in Split and Rijeka added to the scale of the response. These units deployed specialized equipment, including drones for aerial surveillance and night vision technology to assist in the search. The operation was coordinated with local authorities and included support from emergency services. The presence of these resources highlights the complexity and severity of the situation, requiring a multi-agency approach to locate and recover the wreckage. The crash site is located in a remote part of the National Park, known for its dense forests and steep slopes. Accessing the area has always been challenging, but recent heavy rainfall exacerbated the difficulties. Local residents and environmental officials noted that the area is prone to sudden changes in weather, making it particularly hazardous during certain seasons. The discovery of the wreckage and the recovery of the two bodies marks the end of an extensive search effort that spanned several hours. Further investigations into the cause of the crash are expected to begin soon. Forensic teams will examine the wreckage to determine the sequence of events leading to the accident. The findings could provide crucial insights into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Meanwhile, the families of the victims are being informed of the results, and support services are available to them. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with aviation in remote and unpredictable environments.