A severe rainstorm in Bosnia-Herzegovina has resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people due to floods and landslides. The central and southern parts of the country were particularly affected, with surging waters entering homes while residents were asleep. Rescue services have reported several missing individuals and have called on volunteers and the army for assistance. Roads have been closed, leaving houses without electricity.
Residents in Fojnica, one of the towns hit by the floods, described their terrifying experiences. Josip Kalem was awakened by his dog’s barking at 4 a.m., only to find rapidly rising water outside his home. He and his wife were unable to escape as more water flooded their house, sweeping away their belongings including their car and even their dog.
Another resident of Fojnica, Andja Milesic, also woke up to find her bedroom floor soaked with water. She described the situation as “horrible.” Darko Juka, a spokesman for the local administration, confirmed that at least 14 people had died in Jablanica and surrounding areas. However, officials later discovered two additional bodies.
The scale of this crisis is unprecedented since the war that devastated Bosnia from 1992-1995 according to Juka. Defense Minister Zukan Helez stated that troops are being deployed to assist with rescue efforts as news continues to come in about new victims buried under landslides.
Drone footage showed villages completely submerged under water while social media videos depicted scenes of muddy torrents and damaged roads. The main road connecting Sarajevo with the Adriatic coast was swept into a river along with a railway line due to a massive landslide.
Neighboring Croatia also experienced heavy rains and strong winds resulting in road closures and preparations for potential flooding from the swollen Sava River in Zagreb. In Montenegro, south of Bosnia-Herzegovina, floods caused by torrential rains led to isolated villages and flooded roads and homes.
Authorities are urging residents to stay on higher floors within their homes as surging waters continue to pose dangers such as sweeping away animals and cars while filling lower levels of buildings.