Bathing ban and fire alert shake popular Croatian resort areas
An alarm has been raised on Croatia's most popular island. Bathing has been banned, and authorities are intensively testing the water.
According to local media, a sample of seawater was taken at the Lume Hotel's beach in Smokvica on Korčula. The water does not meet safety requirements due to faecal contamination. Consequently, bathing is banned in this area until further notice.
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued an alert. The reasons for the contamination are not yet known.
According to Onet, the previous water inspection, which took place just a few days prior, recorded the highest ratings. The Environmental Protection Agency reported that 116 out of 121 beaches had excellent water quality. Four others were rated "very good" and one "satisfactory."
Fire in Croatia
Tourists and residents of the resort of Podgora on the Adriatic are also experiencing problems.
A few days ago, an evacuation of residents located on the Croatian coast of Podgora, which is battling a fire, was carried out, reported the Hina agency.
Croatian television RTL reported that about 150 residents of the Makarska Riviera town have been evacuated and taken to a nearby primary school so far. They added that the smoke is so thick and omnipresent that it is impossible to see the houses and other buildings in Podgora.
Goran Buszelić, the commander of the local fire brigade, stated that the situation on the ground is difficult because there is a shortage of firefighters and water tankers.
