Police are investigating the causes and circumstances of the explosion in Croatia.
Slobodna Dalmacija reported that the explosion affected a family from the Czech Republic. Other media, such as Dnevnik.hr, mentioned only that the victims were not Croatian citizens.
According to Zadar police, the cause of the explosion is still unknown. It is known that the tourists’ car broke down on the road between the towns of Bilišane and Bogatnik in Dalmatia.
Available information indicates that the explosion occurred in an open area. While no official statement has been made regarding what exploded, Croatian media speculate that it could have been a landmine from the Yugoslav Wars.
After the explosion, police completely closed the road for several hours and restricted access to the scene of the tragedy.
Mined Areas
The wars in the former Yugoslavia took place between 1991 and 2001. The Croatian War of Independence lasted from March 1991 to November 1995, spanning over four years and seven months.
During this time, soldiers extensively mined large areas. The risk posed by these still-present mines remains significant.
A large number of unexploded mines and other explosive devices are still found mainly in uninhabited areas such as forests, fields, and meadows. Tourists are warned about mined areas by caution signs. However, these signs may have been removed, damaged, or destroyed over time. Not all tourists are adequately informed about the dangers of mines in Croatia, and as a result, some unknowingly risk their health and lives.
