New Fire Breaks Out in Split Prison
On Tuesday morning, inmates attempted to start a fire in a cell at Bilice. This is not the first incident, and other troubling news is emerging from the prison system.
On Tuesday morning, inmates attempted to start a fire in a cell at Bilice. This is not the first incident, and other troubling news is emerging from the prison system.
A small fire broke out in one of the prison rooms at Split's Bilice prison on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, in the early morning hours. Thanks to the swift intervention of judicial police officers, the flames were extinguished, and all inmates were safely relocated, the Ministry of Justice confirmed.
According to information from the Ministry, as reported by N1, officers noticed smoke and a small fire around 6 a.m. "Thanks to the timely reaction of judicial police officers, the fire was immediately extinguished using fire extinguishers, and inmates were safely moved from the room," the Ministry's response stated. No officers or inmates were injured, and only minor material damage occurred. Inmates were examined as a precaution by the Solin Emergency Medical Service, after which it was "determined that no further medical treatment was necessary."
Some inmates in the cell attempted to start a fire, which caused panic among the others. Frightened inmates began banging loudly, alerting the guards, who then reacted quickly. The cause of this latest incident is not yet known, and sources from the prison system told Jutarnji list that it is possible that inmates with mental illnesses, who are housed among the general prison population due to a lack of space in psychiatric facilities, were involved.
This is not the first time inmates have attempted to start a fire at Split prison. The worst such case occurred in June 2025, when ten people were hospitalized due to a mattress being set on fire-nine detainees and one judicial police officer. Five inmates were in life-threatening condition and required intensive care. Unofficially, it has been learned that it all started as a "joke" by inmate Ante Vučko, nicknamed the Australian, who lit a mattress with a lighter.
Jutarnji list also reports on two other recent incidents. Three days ago, an inmate at Bilice died from a blood clot. Additionally, a young adult currently in prison reported being raped multiple times. The perpetrator is allegedly a repeat offender who committed the same crime ten years ago. Jutarnji list has sent inquiries to the Ministry of Justice and the Split-Dalmatia Police Department regarding all three incidents and will publish their responses when received.
The Croatian Judicial Police Union (SPPH) recently warned of a serious problem regarding the lack of adequate healthcare in prisons across Croatia. "Without enough doctors, without adequate medical staff, and without basic conditions for treatment, the name on the front door of this institution remains just an empty phrase. This is not a hospital behind bars-it is just another ward of the prison where medical care has become a luxury, not a basic rule," SPPH stated. The union is calling for the Ministry of Health to take over the management of healthcare in prisons.
