FENA News

At least 14 killed in floods in Jablanica, many missing persons have been reported

JABLANICA, October 4 (FENA) – At this moment, we have 14 confirmed fatalities, meaning 14 bodies have been found, unfortunately with a tendency for that already tragic number to increase, said Darko Juka, Head of the Public Relations Department of the HNC Government, in Mostar on Friday, emphasizing that many missing persons have also been reported.

“There are a lot of injured people, including many who are seriously hurt. The services are doing everything they can on the ground to rescue those affected and transport them to the nearest medical facilities. Those who have lost their homes and have been separated from their loved ones are being cared for as best as possible in centers in Jablanica and Konjic,” Juka pointed out, adding that the situation in Konjic is now a bit more stable.

He also mentioned that emergency services were able to establish a temporary corridor between Konjic and Jablanica to reach people in need.

Currently, the most critical situation is in the area of Donja Jablanica, which is completely cut off from the rest of the Canton and the outside world due to completely destroyed roadways. Traffic has been entirely halted, and the injured are being rescued by boats provided by the Armed Forces and rescue services, Juka emphasized.

“We had two extremely critical situations involving an injured boy and a pregnant woman. Both were evacuated to the Dr. Safet Mujić Cantonal Hospital in Mostar. The boy is stable, but unfortunately, the baby did not survive the surgery, while they are fighting for the mother’s life,” Juka added.

He stated that the injured are being transferred to hospitals in Konjic and Mostar.

He reiterated that all available services are on the ground, and HNC Prime Minister Marija Buhač has alerted all levels of government in BiH and is in constant communication with them.

Finally, he appealed again to citizens not to travel to Konjic and Jablanica.

The HNC Government declared a state of natural disaster for the affected areas at an emergency session.