More than 100 British tourists were evacuated by sea from the Croatian island of Brač on Saturday as a rapidly spreading wildfire approached a popular resort near the village of Milna. The fire, fueled by strong winds after a prolonged hot and dry summer, forced emergency responders to launch a nighttime evacuation amid difficult and chaotic conditions.

The wildfire began late Thursday evening and intensified as it moved closer to populated areas on the island, located roughly 10 miles from the city of Split on Croatia’s Adriatic coast. Local authorities issued an alert shortly before midnight on Saturday, coordinating a “preventative evacuation by sea” starting at 11:25 p.m. Croatian firefighting officials reported that by Sunday the fire had consumed approximately 3,500 hectares of pine forest and scrubland.

Among those evacuated were around 195 British visitors staying at the Gava Waterman Milna Resort, including couples Josh Robbins and Shelby A’Court, and Steve and Anna Saunders. Robbins, 26, described emerging from his room to find the car park encircled by flames and showered with burning embers. He and his fiancée used a paddleboard to reach one of the rescue boats sent by the Croatian navy, port authority, and interior ministry, as well as private vessels including fishing boats and speedboats.

A’Court recounted the ordeal of swimming to safety in the dark and expressed concern over the lack of clear instructions or guidance during the evacuation. Her experience was echoed by other guests, including Steve Saunders, who criticized the resort’s response as chaotic and lacking communication. Several guests reported the absence of emergency lighting, evacuation plans, or staff direction during the incident.

Waterman Hotels, which operates the resort, rejected claims that guests were abandoned, stating reception staff remained on site until the evacuation was complete. A company spokesperson attributed the challenges to the wildfire’s rapid development and the resulting power outage and heavy smoke, which limited visibility and disrupted communication. The spokesperson emphasized the commitment and bravery of resort employees while acknowledging a review of emergency procedures is underway.

Tui, which provided travel arrangements for some of the British guests, confirmed all its customers were safely relocated to another hotel in Split and were offered counseling support. The Croatian fire brigade reported that although the fire affected parts of the resort, only limited facilities suffered damage. Approximately 500 people were evacuated from the island, with two injuries recorded, one serious.

Local emergency services were praised by the resort in a social media post for their response efforts amid the fast-moving blaze. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about wildfire risks in the Mediterranean region during seasonal droughts and the challenges of managing emergency evacuations under rapidly changing conditions.