Entrepreneur Davorin Štetner shared shocking footage from Kraljičina Beach and announced criminal charges, while the Croatian Firefighting Association warns of increasingly frequent interference with firefighting aircraft.
On social media on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, footage emerged showing extremely irresponsible behavior by a jet ski driver at Kraljičina Beach in Nin. While Fire Boss firefighting planes were scooping water to extinguish nearby fires, the driver crossed their path with his vessel, towing guests on a tube.
The author of the footage, entrepreneur Davorin Štetner, claims the incident was not accidental. According to him, the jet ski driver deliberately tracked the aircraft's movement and passed directly in front of them four times at the critical moment of water scooping.
"You endangered the lives of two heroic pilots who were saving your property. Firefighting planes are most vulnerable during water scooping and immediately after takeoff because they have difficulty maneuvering," Štetner wrote in his post.
Štetner confirmed that he reported the entire incident to the police and announced he would file a criminal complaint for endangering the safety of firefighting aircraft during an operation. In his post, he also mentioned the registration number of the vessel he claims was involved in the incident, adding that it belongs to a company that rents jet skis and other recreational equipment at that location.
It is not yet known whether the police have launched an official investigation or established all the circumstances of the event. Meanwhile, the footage quickly spread across social media, drawing widespread condemnation.
In his post, Štetner also recalled a recent case in the same bay where, according to his claims, drones and a kitesurfer interfered with firefighting aircraft during firefighting operations. This problem is also confirmed by the Croatian Firefighting Association (HVZ), which recently issued an urgent appeal to citizens.
Firefighting planes have already had to halt firefighting operations near the village of Vrsi in Zadar County precisely because of a drone in their operational zone. The HVZ warns that a drone striking an aircraft can cause serious damage, even causing it to crash, which is why pilots must immediately cease operations as soon as they spot a drone.
"This greatly complicates the situation on the ground," the Croatian Firefighting Association stated.
In addition to drones, boats approaching water scooping areas also cause major problems. The HVZ urges citizens not to approach these areas to avoid endangering flight safety, and also not to come to fire sites on foot or by vehicle to film or take photos, as this obstructs firefighting vehicles and puts themselves at risk.
"Do not use drones to film fire sites and do not interfere with firefighting or other firefighter operations for the sake of filming, curiosity, or entertainment," is the clear appeal from the Croatian Firefighting Association.
They added that any unauthorized use of drones over fire sites will be reported to the police, and citizens who spot a fire are urged to immediately call firefighters at 193.
