June the 19th, 2026 – Investigators allegedly believe that the first officer of the Krilo Eclipse which collided with a sailboat, killing four Czech citizens, clearly saw the sailboat before the fatal collision occurred near Split.
As has been previously reported, the first officer of the Krilo Eclipse passenger catamaran involved in the deadly collision near Split has been arrested. Index reports that investigators are currently examining whether or not he failed to take action despite allegedly having a clear view of the sailing boat before the crash.
The accident happened in Splitska Vrata, the narrow channel between the islands of Šolta and Brač, when the catamaran fatally collided with a sailboat carrying eight Czech nationals. Four people on the sailboat were tragically killed, while four others were rescued and taken to hospital for immediate medical treatment.
did the first officer clearly see the sailboat?
Police arrested the 33-year-old first officer of the catamaran on suspicion of a serious offence against maritime traffic safety. Prosecutors suspect that safety rules were violated and that the failure to take appropriate action contributed to the deaths. If convicted, he could face between three and 15 years in prison.
According to unofficial information, investigators believe the first officer had a clear view of the sailing boat before the collision and should have been able to recognise the danger in time. The investigation is focused on whether proper manoeuvres were taken to avoid the crash.
At the time of the accident, the catamaran was carrying 118 passengers and seven crew members, while the sailing boat had eight Czech citizens onboard. The collision left the sailboat severely damaged and it later sank to a depth of around 50 metres.
Further questions remain about the chain of responsibility on the catamaran. Reports indicate that the captain was not on the bridge at the moment of impact, while the first officer was among those responsible for navigation. Investigators are continuing to determine whether any other individuals bear responsibility.
The case has drawn major attention in Croatia as authorities continue investigating one of the most serious maritime accidents in the Adriatic in recent years.
the czech citizens had been coming to croatia for years
Among the victims was a married couple from the Czech Republic, Jiřina and Petr from the town of Bolatice in the Opava region. The Czech publication Blesk describes them as regular visitors to Croatia, a country they reportedly returned to frequently. The couple tragically left behind two daughters and grandchildren.
Subscribe to our newsletter
the fields marked with * are required
