The Croatian Adriatic coast was hit by severe storms late on Monday afternoon. The storms were particularly severe on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula. Wind speeds of up to 110 kilometres per hour were measured in Rovinj. There is even a photo circulating on social media of a wind gauge display on a yacht showing 100 knots. The consequences were devastating: uprooted trees, damaged houses and cars as well as numerous boats that ran aground. The emergency services received around 180 emergency calls within a very short space of time.
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Injuries and massive damage in Rovinj
Rovinj suffered the worst effects of the storm. According to reports, around ten people were injured, mostly tourists. Most of the injured were in campsites in the Rovinj area, where strong gusts of wind caused trees to fall on cars and tents. All the injured were taken to the hospital in Pula. Hospital director Andrej Anđelini told Croatian radio HRT that seven patients were hospitalised. Three of them were seriously injured and one person was in a life-threatening condition in intensive care.
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30 boats run aground
The professional fire brigade of Rovinj alone reported 30 boats running aground. More than 50 firefighters were deployed in Rovinj. Videos show the enormous force of the storm, in some places the air is nothing but spray.
A ferry ran aground off the coast of Zadar late in the evening and sank. However, all 38 passengers and the five crew members were rescued and brought to safety.
