Plenković: 'Ten of the injured are in intensive care, part of the patients will be taken over by Zagreb'

Seventeen-year-old among critically injured as seven fight for life after catastrophic fire near Omis Seventy individuals sought medical assistance at the Split University Hospital Center (KBC) following a devastating fire in the Omis area, with fourteen hospitalized and ten placed on intensive care units. Of these ten patients, seven are in critical condition, according to Dr. Mirela Pavičić Ivelja from the Split KBC. She stated that treating burn victims requires exceptional resources and coordination. Dr. Pavičić emphasized that doctors have been in constant communication with the Ministry of Health since nightfall and that efforts are underway to transfer some patients to Zagreb hospitals to ensure optimal care. She highlighted the close cooperation between the Split KBC, the Split-Dalmatian County, police, civil protection services, and the Ministry of Health. The fire occurred overnight in the Omis region, prompting emergency responses from multiple agencies. According to reports, one teenager aged seventeen is among the severely injured, while most of the patients receiving intensive care suffer from severe burns. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković addressed the situation, stating that ten individuals are currently on intensive care in the Split KBC, with hopes for recovery being the immediate priority. He noted that additional healthcare workers from the Institute for Emergency Medicine and the Split KBC have been deployed to manage the influx of patients. The Ministry of Health has established coordination with Zagreb hospitals to facilitate potential patient transfers if needed. Plenković expressed gratitude to firefighters and all services involved in extinguishing the fire and saving lives and property during the night. The government and relevant authorities are working together to protect citizens and address the aftermath of the fire. A meeting of the crisis management team will take place at 10 AM, involving key officials such as Chief Firefighter Commander Slavko Tucaković, Split-Dalmatian County Mayor Blaženko Boban, Omis Mayor Zvonko Močić, representatives from the firefighting community, civil protection, police, and the Split KBC. According to further reports, nineteen people were injured in the fire, with approximately 900 to 1,000 hectares of land burned and over 1,000 residents evacuated. Damage assessments are ongoing, though the situation appears more stable now. Four of the most seriously injured patients have been transferred to Zagreb hospitals after stabilization. Three adults were moved to the Sisters of Mercy Hospital’s Trauma Clinic, while a seventeen-year-old girl was taken to the Children's Disease Clinic in Klaićeva Street for intensive treatment. Dr. Tihana Magdić Turković, head of the Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Department at the Trauma Clinic, described the conditions of three adult patients transferred to Zagreb. All three are in critical condition, requiring mechanical ventilation and medication to maintain blood pressure. Additional examinations are being conducted to determine if they sustained inhalation injuries or other wounds alongside their burns. Burn coverage ranges from 40 to 70 percent of their bodies. In Split, four patients remain under intensive care, with one patient’s condition worsening, increasing the number of individuals on ventilators to eight. Doctors confirmed that injuries are primarily due to burns affecting the torso, head, neck, and limbs. Assessments of prognosis remain uncertain, with daily monitoring and treatment plans continuing. The fire has drawn attention to the challenges faced by emergency services and healthcare providers in managing large-scale disasters. Coordination between local and national authorities continues to be crucial in ensuring effective response and recovery efforts.