HELL-LIKE infernos have torn across Croatia’s coastline killing one and forcing thousands to urgently evacuate.

Spreading at “lightning speed,” the catastrophic blazes were captured in harrowing footage that defies belief, marking what is thought to be the most severe fire in the country’s history.

APTOPIX Croatia Extreme Weather WildfiresHorrendous blazes ravaged the Croatian coastline Credit: AP Croatia Extreme Weather WildfiresThousands fled the huge fire-stricken area Credit: AP

Around 1,200 terrified holidaymakers and locals were evacuated – forced to stay the night in emergency shelters.

Some desperate individuals escaped into the sea from boats near the coastline to escape the fire.

The inferno broke out near the coastal village of Lokva Rogoznica on Thursday evening.

It quickly spread to the nearby tourist town of Omis and eventually reached villages near the popular Brit holiday spot Split.

CROATIA-ENVIRONMENT-CLIMATE-WEATHER-WILDIFREOver 1,000 hectares of land in just four hours Credit: AFP CROATIA-ENVIRONMENT-CLIMATE-WEATHER-WILDIFREOne person has died and seven people are fighting for their lives in hospital Credit: AFP

The destructive firestorm burnt through “everything in their path”, according to ‘s fire chief Slavko Tucakovic who described it as “one of the worst” blazes in the country’s history.

Officials confirmed flames, exacerbated by strong winds, engulfed 1,000 hectares of land in just four hours.

One person was confirmed dead after firefighters discovered a body at an area ravaged by the blaze.

Ten people are fighting for their lives as a total of 14 victims were hospitalised and 40 injured.

(260814) -- OMIS, Aug. 14, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on Aug. 14, 2026 shows the aftermath of a wildfire near the southern Croatian town of Omis. A body has been found at the site of a massive wildfire that swept through wooded and residential areaAsh-covered debris has been left in the area Credit: Alamy Aftermath of wildfire near Croatia's OmisFirefighting aircraft is deployed to battle wildfire near Omis Credit: Getty

Over 300 fire personal fought the flames with the blaze so intense at points, crews were forced to retreat.

Footage shared online shows thick smoke and huge flames tearing through surrounding landscape, turning the sky orange, as dumbfounded residents and tourists looked on.

Roads were gridlocked with motorists attempting to flee while bright orange flames licked in the near distance.

Praising the work of the hero firefighters who toiled throughout the night and morning, Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said what they achieved was “truly a miracle”.

Later on Friday Plenkovic visited the incinerated epicentre near Omis.

The flammable pine forests lining the Croatian hillside compounded the already complex firefighting response.

The Commander of Omis Volunteer Fire Department, Viseslav Pesic told Reuters the blaze was so intense that people had abandoned vehicles “directly in the fire zone”, making it difficult for emergency crews to pass through.

Extensive damage was inflicted on homes, cars and the landscape.

It comes as

Hundreds of people were evacuated from beaches as a “wall of flames” threatened two tourists resorts.