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SPLIT, 15 June 2026 – Three people died and one remains missing following a collision on Sunday involving a passenger catamaran operating on a regular route and a foreign-flagged charter yacht carrying eight foreign nationals in the Split Channel between the islands of Brač and Šolta.
Speaking publicly after the tragedy, Split Harbour Master Željko Kuštera described the incident as one of the most difficult moments of his career.
Calling it a “great tragedy”, Kuštera said he had not witnessed anything comparable during his 35 years of service with the Harbour Master’s Office.
Authorities said emergency services responded immediately. A helicopter, rescue vessels and nearby mariners all took part in the rescue effort, with several people pulled from the sea shortly after the collision.
According to preliminary information, the charter yacht was carrying seven passengers and a skipper at the time of the accident. The yacht was reportedly operating under engine power when the collision occurred.
The catamaran had 118 passengers and crew members on board. Officials confirmed that the vessel was operating on a regular passenger service and possessed all required documentation.
All individuals aboard the yacht were foreign nationals.
The Agency for the Investigation of Accidents in Air, Sea and Rail Transport released a statement saying that a collision occurred between the fast passenger ship “Krilo Eclipse” and a French-flagged sailboat carrying citizens of the Czech Republic.
“The Agency has reported the maritime accident to the investigative bodies of the significantly interested countries of France and the Czech Republic, and a safety investigation will be opened based on the collected data on the maritime accident,” it said.
Following the collision, the catamaran was directed to the town of Milna on Brač. Passengers were disembarked there before continuing their journey to Hvar on another vessel.
Kuštera explained that the decision was taken out of concern for the psychological and physical condition of both passengers and the vessel’s commander.
The catamaran’s commander was subsequently replaced before the vessel resumed operations.
The investigation into the accident is nearing completion. Officials said they have collected data regarding the movements of both vessels and the circumstances leading up to the collision.
All findings will be submitted to the State Attorney’s Office of the Republic of Croatia.
Survivors from the yacht were transported to Split, where they received medical assistance and psychological support.
The yacht sank following the collision and is resting at a depth of approximately 60 metres. Any decision regarding its recovery will be made by the State Attorney’s Office.
Authorities have also confirmed that no marine pollution has been detected as a result of the accident.
The search for the missing person remains ongoing. Multiple agencies are involved, including the Harbour Master’s Office, police, the Croatian Coast Guard and divers from the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS).
Officials say all available resources continue to be deployed in the effort to locate the missing individual.
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