Bangladeshis included among migrants rescued near Croatia's border river

Croatian emergency teams rescued approximately 30 migrants on Wednesday who became stranded in marshland near a river while attempting to cross the border from Bosnia, according to officials and reports from AFP.

Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic told media that the group primarily consisted of nationals from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. While search operations continued in the area amid concerns that some individuals may have deceased during the crossing, no bodies were discovered immediately.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic informed a government session that the migrants' boats are believed to have capsized overnight after striking a marshy section of the river, leaving them trapped in a remote location. "At this stage, there are no confirmations of fatalities. Everyone who has been pulled from the river is safe and receiving care," Plenkovic said.

According to the interior ministry, eight people were transported to hospitals, most suffering from hypothermia. Approximately 100 rescue personnels, including police and firefighters, navigated extremely tough terrain to reach the migrants stranded near Babina Greda, approximately 240 kilometers southeast of Zagreb.

Authorities are investigating the suspected illegal crossing, including whether smugglers were involved, Bozinovic said. In 2025, Croatia recorded 14 migrant deaths, with at least two killed while attempting to cross the border this year.

Croatia, an EU member state, serves as a major transit country for undocumented migrants seeking to reach Europe through the Balkan route. In 2025, more than 12,500 Europe-bound migrants took this path, according to Frontex, the EU's border agency. The International Organisation for Migration stated that over 400 people have been reported dead or missing on this route since 2014.