More than 500 people searched for safety at sea, help arrived in boats: In their eyes there was a struggle for survival

More than 500 people sought refuge in the sea during a catastrophic fire near Omis, Croatia, prompting emergency services and local residents to launch a large-scale rescue operation. According to reports, over 20 private boats joined forces with the Port Authority, police, customs officials, and other agencies to assist those stranded. The incident unfolded amid thick smoke and strong winds, creating dangerous conditions for both victims and rescuers. The drama began when hundreds of people fled the flames and found themselves trapped along the coastline. Many turned to the sea as their last option for survival, swimming toward the shore or waiting for help. Among them were pregnant women in their seventh or eighth month of pregnancy and parents with young children. Rescue efforts were complicated by the dense smoke and harsh weather, which made visibility extremely low. Mario Popovac, a local resident who participated in the rescue, described the harrowing scenes he witnessed. He recounted how he and his friends set out in their boat towards the area where people had been cut off. As they navigated through the smoke and wind, they heard cries coming from the water. Popovac stopped his boat and saw dozens of people struggling in the sea. They could not reach them immediately due to the rough conditions, so they approached using the stern of the boat and pulled individuals toward safety with oars. In the first attempt, Popovac’s boat rescued 27 people, including seven children aged four or five years old. Parents tried desperately to hold onto their children, but waves and wind made the task nearly impossible. The initial attempts were chaotic, but after some time, people on the beach started calling out, making it easier for rescuers to approach. Popovac explained that the group initially couldn’t see the people because of the thick smoke, but they followed their shouts instead. Those in the water were floating approximately 50 to 100 meters away from the shore. Many citizens joined the effort, using their personal boats to transport survivors to safety. One example cited was a friend of Popovac who used a small boat measuring four meters long to ferry 20 people before transferring them to a larger vessel for safe passage. Eyewitnesses described the intense struggle for survival etched in the eyes of those being rescued. Popovac expressed gratitude for the community's response, noting how neighbors helped each other, sharing water and supporting one another in the face of adversity. People gave everything they had to pull others to safety, highlighting the collective spirit among locals during this crisis. Meanwhile, several cities have already contributed financial support to aid Omis in its recovery efforts. Cities such as Pula, Sinj, Vukovar, and Baška Voda have pledged assistance. However, the final extent of the damage has yet to be determined, though preliminary assessments suggest the losses will be substantial. Residents are beginning to return home to areas where power supply has been restored, although many remain without homes, money, family photos, and cherished memories.