A major wildfire on the Croatian island of Brač near the coastal city of Split forced the evacuation of around 500 people, including British tourists, according to firefighters who spoke to the Hina news agency. The blaze, which broke out on the island’s western coast, spread rapidly under strong winds, cutting power to the Gava Waterman Milna Resort and forcing guests to flee into the sea in some cases.
Guests at the resort reported being forced onto paddleboards and into the water as flames closed in. One British couple, Josh Robbins and his fiancée Shelby A’Court, described how the resort’s car park was surrounded by fire and how they had to break open electric doors to escape. They said they received no warning or instructions from staff, a claim the resort denies. The resort spokesperson said the fire moved too quickly for proper evacuation and praised staff for their courage.
Local authorities estimate that the fire has scorched around 3,500 hectares, while the European Forest Fire Information System records more than 20,800 hectares burned across 59 wildfires in Croatia this year, making it the country’s worst wildfire season since 2022. Mayor Frane Lozic described the blaze as a disaster, noting the sudden shift from containment to a “monster” when sea winds began at 9 pm. The incident comes amid a broader European wildfire crisis, with 700,000 hectares burned across the EU in 2026, according to the crisis‑management commissioner.
