Tragedy Averted: Tree Falls on Car, Centar Municipality Silent on Residents' Warnings

Severe weather that hit Sarajevo on September 11th caused significant material damage to car owners whose vehicles were hit by falling trees. One such incident was recorded in Grbavica, as well as in the city center on Džidžikovac street. Cars in Grbavica were parked when a tree fell on them, and fortunately, no one was injured.

A greater tragedy on Džidžikovac street (next to Veliki park) was narrowly averted by sheer luck when a tree fell on a moving vehicle. Eyewitnesses to the accident state that the occupants of the car were very lucky because the tree fell on the windshield. Had it happened a few seconds later, the tree would have fallen on the car's roof, and it's questionable what would have happened to the passengers. A man and a woman (identities known to the editorial office) escaped injury but suffered a great shock.

- When we got out of the car, people who witnessed the accident were surprised that we weren't injured. We experienced a real shock, but thank God we avoided a tragedy. This should also serve as a warning to those who ignored the warnings from the residents of Džidžikovac that this roadside trees pose a danger to both pedestrians and drivers – says the car owner.

According to information available to the Patria agency, one of the residents of this street sent letters to the Centar Municipality three times with pictures and warnings that the tall trees pose a threat. The Municipality remained silent on all his correspondence.

Normally, the procedure dictates that the Municipality, based on requests from citizens and local communities, issues an order for tree removal, and then KJKP Park (Public Utility Company Park) comes to the site and acts on the order.

Although we sought answers from the Centar Municipality regarding this case, specifically whether they had received requests for the removal of the problematic trees in this location and whether citizens could seek compensation from the municipality, we received no response.

The only good thing in this whole accident is that there were no injuries.

The Patria agency team visited the area where the accident occurred and we confirmed that the tall trees are still a threat to pedestrians and cars.

We hope that the municipal services will finally come to the site and do everything to prevent such incidents from happening again.