A winter storm wreaked havoc in Croatia and Bosnia on Monday, causing significant disruptions to travel, leading to school closures, and leaving thousands of homes without electricity. Meanwhile, in Slovenia, rescue missions faced challenges as two Hungarian hikers remained stranded in the Alps.
The pair, a man and a woman, went missing during harsh weather conditions north of Ljubljana on Sunday. Reports indicate that one of them suffered a broken leg. Search efforts were temporarily halted overnight due to strong winds and poor visibility, which raised concerns about avalanches. They resumed on Monday, but helicopter operations were hampered, preventing the rescue team from reaching the hikers, who were trapped at 1,700 meters (5,600 feet) in altitude.
Jernej Lanišek, who leads the rescue mission, mentioned, “We are getting closer, but I don’t think we will finish before the afternoon.” Around 40 rescuers are highlighting the community’s commitment to bringing the hikers back safely.
In Croatia, travel restrictions were implemented, impacting most roads in the central region of Lika and several highway sections. The storm along the Adriatic coast also rendered ferry services to the islands non-operational. Authorities urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel due to the severe weather.
In Bosnia, the government announced the suspension of classes in parts of the northwest, where heavy snowfall was reported. Approximately 200,000 homes experienced power outages, and authorities banned trucks and heavy vehicles in many areas. Drivers were strongly advised to exercise caution and not to travel without appropriate winter gear.
The storm is expected to move toward Serbia, with meteorologists warning residents in the western parts of the country to stay indoors and prepare for potential power outages as the adverse weather conditions approach.