The National Center for Maritime Search and Rescue coordinates an extensive operation after four Portuguese citizens went missing during a severe storm. Their inflatable boat was found abandoned near the island of Krk.
In the night of August 11-12, 2026, four young Portuguese nationals went missing in the Velebit Channel. The report of their disappearance was received by the National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre in Rijeka (MRCC Rijeka) at 4:41 AM, and according to information relayed by their acquaintance, they were last seen leaving a camp north of Senj heading towards the town in a small recreational inflatable boat.
The four friends set out to sea in a boat measuring only up to 1.5 meters in length, despite the fact that extremely unfavorable weather conditions were already prevailing in the area. According to data from MRCC Rijeka, strong bora gusts were present at sea, with waves reaching heights of up to three meters. After they set sail, all trace of them was lost. The search and rescue operation was launched in accordance with the adopted Plan, and the Port Authority of Senj, the Port Authority of Rijeka, and the Port Authority Branch Office in Novi Vinodolski were immediately included in the coordination.
Immediately upon receiving the report, a coordinated search and rescue operation was launched in cooperation with the Port Authority of Senj, the Port Authority of Rijeka, and the Port Authority Branch Office in Novi Vinodolski. The search so far has resulted in the discovery of an abandoned floating object near the coast of the island of Krk. According to the description, it is a boat that matches the one used by the missing persons. The Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure has confirmed that this is a large coordinated operation.
The rescue operation is seriously hampered by extreme weather conditions. In most of the search area, hurricane-force bora gusts of around 60 knots are being recorded, with waves exceeding two meters in height. As a result, some units have been withdrawn to the lee side. At 9:10 AM, MRCC Rijeka issued a request for the inclusion of available vessels from the PPAP Rijeka fleet as soon as weather conditions permit. Additionally, the Croatian Coast Guard has been asked to deploy a 'Pilatus PC-9' aircraft to search the wider area of the Velebit Channel. Unfavorable sea conditions have persisted since yesterday, with waves reaching up to three meters in height.
The Primorje-Gorski Kotar Police Department is being regularly informed about the progress of the operation. Officers from the Crikvenica Police Station are engaged in the land part of the search, conducting patrols and gathering all available information about the missing persons. The search continues with all available means at sea, in the air, and on land.
