Severe flooding and landslides in Bosnia and Herzegovina have resulted in at least 14 fatalities as of October 4, 2024, with the death toll expected to rise. The most affected area is Jablanica, located approximately 70 kilometers southwest of Sarajevo, where rescue teams are searching for missing individuals.
Heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow, inundating numerous homes and leading to landslides in Jablanica. Reports indicate that the town, with a population of around 4,000, was isolated for hours until rescue operations could reach the area. Local media shared images of houses submerged in mud, with only the minaret of a mosque visible.
Prime Minister Nermin Niksic of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina described the situation as extremely serious, stating that many residents are unable to leave their homes. In nearby Kiseljak, about 20 kilometers from Sarajevo, numerous properties and vehicles were also reported to be underwater.
Rescue efforts are underway, with emergency services using boats to evacuate residents and helicopters deployed to rescue 17 individuals from a hospital. The current weather conditions are being described as the worst since 2014, when more than 20 people died in similar flooding.
Scientists have noted an increase in extreme weather events due to climate change, and warnings of further flooding have also been issued for neighboring Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia.
This disaster highlights the growing impact of climate-related events on vulnerable regions, raising concerns about preparedness and response strategies in the face of changing weather patterns.