Tragic incident results in 16 fatalities due to mudslide in Bosnia and Herzegovina
In Bosnia-Herzegovina, torrential rainfall has been pounding the country since Thursday evening, leading to devastating floods and landslides. The small village of Donja Jablanica has been one of the most affected areas, with massive debris swiftly moving through the town. At least 18 lives have sadly been claimed as a consequence.
A police spokesperson from Mostar confirmed the tragic fatalities to the Bosnian site "klix.ba". Many residents are still unaccounted for. 16 of these deaths occurred in the Jablanica region, approximately 70 kilometers southwest of Sarajevo, according to policeman Ljudevit Maric's announcement. An additional two lives were lost in the Fojnica region. The country's presidency has dispatched the military to the stricken locations.
The Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nermin Niksic, tweeted, "The situation is extremely grave; many people can't leave their homes." The government subsequently declared a state of emergency and assembled an emergency response team.
The deployment of the military to the impacted regions for intensified rescue efforts, including the use of helicopters, was reported by the presidential office. Helicopters from the EU mission Eufor, with Germany being a partner, also aided in the evacuation of injured individuals. According to the civil protection agency, a significant portion of the populace is at risk of flooding and landslides.
Temporary isolation of the town
Originally, access to the town of Jablanica, home to 4,000 residents, was blocked, as reported by rescue services. On Friday, the army and civil protection teams arrived with heavy equipment to clear the mud. Photos from local media depict landslides that engulfed homes right up to their rooftops. All that remained visible was the minaret of a mosque.
"It was absolutely terrifying," recounted a resident from the Donja Jablanica village, Emir Arfadzan. Gargantuan rocks and thousands of tonnes of debris surged into the village. "About ten houses were destroyed, and deaths were reported," the 62-year-old shared. People had "mere seconds" to seek safety. "Yet, we were able to save a child," Arfadzan stated.
In the town of Kiseljak, about 30 kilometers from Sarajevo, numerous houses, gardens, and automobiles were submerged, according to reports. Firefighters, police, and emergency response teams were present at the scene. The mayor of Kiseljak described the situation as a "biblical flood" with "hundreds of flooded homes."
The relentless downpour commenced on Thursday evening. Croatia heeded a flood warning for the northern Adriatic coast, the Istrian peninsula, and the hinterland. According to the consensus of scientists, extreme weather events are escalating as a direct result of climate change driven by human activity.
The number of missing residents in Donja Jablanica is a source of concern, as the death toll from the floods and landslides stands at 30, with 18 confirmed fatalities in the Jablanica region and an additional two in Fojnica. The rescue efforts are ongoing, with the military and international aid organizations deploying helicopters to evacuate injured individuals and clear debris.
