Torcida will remember the heroism of the firefighters that lost their lives on the island of Kornati 10 years ago.
The biggest firefighting tragedy in Croatia happened on August 30, 2007, when 12 firefighters lost their lives on the island of Kornati.
Tonight on the Riva, Torcida and fans of Hajduk Split will mark the ten year anniversary of the tragedy by releasing balloons into the sky precisely at 19:11, the year HNK Hajduk was formed.
“We invite all members of Torcida and fans of Hajduk to join us for the 10th anniversary of the Kornati tragedy today, before the match, at 18:30 in the middle of the Riva. We will be releasing balloons into the sky at 19:11, thus paying tribute to these heroes,” Torcida said in a statement.
Back in 2007, 750 fires plagued the coast of Croatia, one of them notably on the island of Kornati.
It was reported that a barbecue in the small port of Vrulje sparked the fire, first burning grass which spread quickly due to strong gusts of southern wind. The fire engulfed half of the island but was only a threat to grass and some fig trees. The island of Kornati burned for four days.
A team of 13 firefighters was sent to the island via helicopter to fight the blaze after reports of the underbrush catching fire and it potentially threatening homes. Once the firefighters arrived on the island, they were separated into two groups.
The 13 firefighters encountered a flame on the island that was said to be around 1200°C, unfortunately encircling the group and killing six of them instantly. The other seven in the group were transported to hospitals in Zagreb and Split and could not survive their severe burns. Only one firefighter survived the tragedy although he has suffered serious life-long consequences. Some of those killed were only 17.
The firefighters we will remember today were part of the Šibenik Fire Department, the Tisno Volunteer Fire Department, and the Vodice Volunteer Fire Department.
Please join us in remembering these heroes at 19:11 tonight.
Hajduk and Istria will face each other at Poljud at 21:00.
