Croatia remembers firefighters on anniversary of Kornati tragedy

ZAGREB, Aug 30 (Hina) – Croatia on Sunday remembered the 12 firefighters who died 13 years ago while trying to put out a wildfire on the island of Kornat, off Sibenik.

Commemorative events, including wreath-laying ceremonies, started in the City of Sibenik on Sunday morning in memory of the victims in the 30 August 2007 tragedy: Dino Klaric, Ivan Marinovic, Marinko Knezevic, Gabrijel Skocic, Karlo Severdija, Hrvoje Strikoman, Ante Juricev Mikulin, Ivica Crvelin, Ante Crvelin, Tomislav Crvelin, Josip Lucic and Marko Stancic.

Six were killed on the scene and six later from burns in hospital. Frane Lucic was the sole survivor, albeit with multiple injuries. Those injuries were the reason why he was declared totally unfit for work.

According to official explanations, the cause of the tragedy was eruptive fire growth. 

However, a part of the public and some of the families of the victims do not accept this explanation, insisting that the circumstances of the deadly blaze have not yet been fully clarified.

The central commemorative event on Kornat, which was due to have been held today, has been shifted to Tuesday, due to a strong southern gale that prevented boats from reaching the island.