After catamaran and sailing boat collision in the Adriatic: four dead, Croatian officer in custody
Four Czech nationals died in a maritime accident between the islands of Šolta and Brač. Croatian police have detained a 33-year-old first mate of the catamaran on suspicion of endangering the safety of navigation.
After catamaran and sailing boat collision in the Adriatic: four dead, Croatian officer in custody
A serious maritime accident occurred on Sunday evening between the islands of Šolta and Brač, in which four people lost their lives. Croatian authorities have temporarily detained a 33-year-old first mate of the catamaran, according to regionalobala.si.
A catamaran operated by a Croatian transport company collided with a 14-metre sailing vessel under the French flag. The smaller vessel was carrying eight passengers from the Czech Republic at the time. Following the impact, the sailing boat sank.
Rescue teams recovered three victims from the sea. Later that day, at a depth of approximately 50 metres, a fourth body was found in the cabin of the sunken vessel. Four Czech nationals who survived were transferred to a Split hospital for treatment.
According to Slobodna Dalmacija, a Croatian national who served as first mate on the catamaran is being held in investigative detention. An investigation is being conducted on suspicion that he endangered the safety of maritime traffic. If the charges are proven, he faces a prison sentence of three to 15 years, as the alleged violations of navigation regulations caused the death of multiple people.
At the time of the collision, the catamaran was carrying 118 passengers and seven crew members. None of them sustained injuries.
Source: Google News SI — Crime (sl)