Drama in Belgrade: Raft sinks, panic ensues, large number of young people jump into water to save themselves

(Patria) - The raft "Kartel" on Savski kej in Belgrade began to sink during the night while a large number of young people, mostly high school students, were on it for a music performance by rapper Cunamija.

Many jumped into the water in panic. 30 people were evacuated.

The emergency medical services treated 10 minors, while two were transported to the Military Medical Academy (VMA) due to intoxication.

All available units of the Ministry of Interior's Sector for Emergency Situations rescued young people, mostly minors, who were on the raft, which began to sink about half an hour after midnight.

Many jumped into the water in panic to swim to the shore, reports RTS.

The Ministry of Interior stated that they received a report at 00:37 that the raft was sinking and that people were in the water.

"Upon arrival at the scene at 00:44, it was determined that the raft was sinking and that evacuation of people from the raft and from the water was necessary. The bridge between the raft and the shore had sunk," they added.

All 30 people who were on the raft were evacuated to an adjacent raft, and river police, gendarmerie, as well as 25 members of the Fire and Rescue Unit participated in the rescue operation.

Emergency medical services stated that everything began with a report of a fight on the raft. According to the on-duty doctor, a large number of young people were intoxicated.

One of the eyewitnesses told Blic that a real stampede broke out when the raft began to sink.

"Some started jumping into the water and swimming to the shore, while others remained frozen in fear of drowning. Parents of the guests who remained stranded on the raft immediately arrived.

Photo: Screenshot/YouTube

People were nervous. I saw that the emergency services helped one guy. Everyone was in panic. They were calling for help," she said.

One of the guests said that the sinking of the "Kartel" raft was preceded by a conflict between guests and security.

"A larger group of people started leaving the raft and confronting the security. Then a fight broke out. The bridge started to break, and the raft began to sink, and everyone running from the raft fell into the water," he recounted.

The head of the Ministry of Interior's Sector for Emergency Situations, Luka Čaušić, emphasized last night that the rescue team reached the "Kartel" raft in record time when it began to sink.

Čaušić added that the river currents are strong and that the police are searching every inch, but it is not yet known if there are any victims.