Flying Lanterns on Drvenik Veli Trigger Alarm, Fortunately No Damage
Two flying lanterns were released last night on Drvenik Veli, and the footage sparked outrage over irresponsibility amid Croatia's devastating wildfire season.
Two flying lanterns were released last night on Drvenik Veli, and the footage sparked outrage over irresponsibility amid Croatia's devastating wildfire season.
Last night, two flying lanterns were launched into the air on Drvenik Veli, an island near Trogir, and then descended onto an area with houses and trees, according to a report by Index.hr. The footage of the incident was posted on the Facebook page Vatrogasci 193 and quickly sparked outrage over the irresponsibility of individuals who endanger lives and property in this manner.
The police and firefighters received a report of the incident, but apparently there was no material damage. However, the incident comes at a time when the entire country is on high alert due to the wildfire season, which has already claimed a life this year.
The Split-Dalmatia Police Department reported today that they immediately began checks upon receiving the report and quickly identified the individuals involved in the event. "Following the published news about the event on Drvenik Veli, captured in a publicly shared video of paper lanterns being released, we inform you that last night, immediately after the report, we began conducting checks and very quickly identified the individuals who participated in the event," the police stated.
A criminal investigation into these individuals is still ongoing, and the police will report their findings to the competent state attorney's office for further action. "The criminal investigation into the individuals is ongoing, and we will report our findings to the competent state attorney's office for their further proceedings," the police said.
According to 24sata, several people released two paper lanterns into the air last night. Such a move is particularly concerning at a time when firefighters across Dalmatia are battling fires daily, and high temperatures, dry vegetation, and wind further increase the risk of fire spreading.
The Croatian Firefighting Association had earlier warned of an increased number of fires and urged special caution, while open-air fires are completely banned. Cigarette butts also pose a problem, as seen on August 15 when a fire broke out on Brač.
Last week, major fires affected the Omiš area, the Pelješac Peninsula, and Dugi Otok, with the most severe situation in Omiš, where a young woman lost her life and seven people remain in critical condition in the hospital.
Adding to the concern is the fact that Drvenik Veli has no water supply and is mostly inhabited, making it harder to extinguish any potential fire. After recent days and weeks in which firefighters have been battling fires across Dalmatia daily, such incidents are particularly dangerous. Releasing paper lanterns with open flames into the air can be extremely hazardous, especially during the wildfire season when even the slightest negligence can lead to the outbreak and rapid spread of fire.
A similar case was recorded in early July on Dugi Otok, where a signal flare fired from a vessel fell into a pine forest in the Telašćica Nature Park and caused a fire. As a result, the police filed a criminal complaint against a 45-year-old Croatian citizen.
The flying lantern incident on Drvenik Veli is another example of irresponsible behavior during Croatia's wildfire season, following a series of catastrophic fires that have hit several areas along the Adriatic coast this year.
