Austrian (46) missing after falling from catamaran off Croatian coast

In cooperation with the coastguard, a Pilatus aircraft has been operating over the search area since 11:42 a.m. and is circling over the waters around the islands of Šolta, Hvar, and Split in order to locate the missing person from the air.

The catamaran named "Bali Angelina" was traveling near Maslinica on Šolta, according to regional reports, when the fall occurred. The Croatian Adriatic coast is a popular sailing area, and during the summer months, accidents occur repeatedly there when sudden weather changes whip up the waves.

Course of the accident and the boat involved

The police have launched the search and are working together with the rescue services to secure the area. Searches are also being conducted along the routes toward Korčula, Trogir, and in the sea area off Split.

There is currently no information as to whether the missing person was wearing a life jacket or how long he had been in the water before he was lost from the crew's sight. The rescue teams are analyzing currents and wind direction in order to narrow down the search area effectively.

Consular support and further steps

The Austrian authorities have been informed of the incident. Consular offices are in contact with the local authorities, according to the operations command, in order to notify the man's next of kin and coordinate the operation.

The operation is ongoing. Should the suspicion be confirmed that the skipper went overboard, it would already be the second serious sailing accident involving an Austrian tourist in Croatian waters within a few years. The authorities also announced that investigations into the exact cause of the accident will be initiated once the search operation is concluded.

The Croatian coastal police called on sailors in the region to monitor the radio channels and immediately report any suspicious sightings. Residents along the coastline of Šolta and Hvar were also asked to watch out for suspicious objects or persons in the water and to notify the rescue control center.