Latest news with #AdriaticSea
News.com.au
20 hours ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Panicked teenager plunges to death after unbuckling harness while parasailing
A panicked 19-year-old woman plunged to her death after she frantically unbuckled her harness while parasailing in Montenegro in a disturbing caught-on-camera tragedy. Tijana Radonjic, who was on vacation from Serbia at the time, died after falling more than 160 feet into the Adriatic Sea in Budva last Wednesday, local outlet Republikka reported. Chilling footage published by local media showed the distressed young woman tearing at her life jacket and scrambling to unclip her safety restraints just seconds before the midair horror unfolded. After she managed to break free from the waist buckle, the clip showed a bikini-clad Radonjic trying to wriggle free before she tumbled upside down and suddenly vanished from view. It wasn't immediately clear why Radonjic started unbuckling herself or how long into the flight the tragedy occurred. Some local reports suggested she may have suffered a panic attack. Witnesses claimed they heard the frenzied teen screaming 'Put me down' in the moments before she fell. The young woman's lifeless body was pulled from the water. Radonjic went up in the air after a rep for the parasailing company had approached her on the beach and offered a free flight, Kuirr reported. 'We are all in shock after the accident that happened … I do not know exactly what happened,' Mirko Krdzic, the owner of the company, told the outlet. 'She did not show any fear of flying. She underwent training after which the tragedy followed. Technical inspections of all the equipment are underway and the results of the autopsy are awaited.' Authorities are still investigating the ordeal.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Student, 19, falls to her death after 'suffering a panic attack' and 'unbuckling her seatbelt' while parasailing during holiday to Montenegro
A student has fallen to her death after she unclipped her safety belt while parasailing. Tijana Radonjic, 19, was on holiday in Budva, Montenegro, when she plunged into the Adriatic Sea after flying at a height of 50 metres. Despite emergency services rushing to find her, they confirmed she was dead last Wednesday. Footage of Ms Radnjic, from Novi Sad, Serbia, has been shared online that shows her distressed in her parasailing seat. She tries to pull herself up on the two straps on the side but then unbuckles the seatbelt and jacket. The teen then twists around in her seat before tipping upside down and falls through the leg braces. Horrified spectators on the beach are said to have heard Tijana screaming just moments before the fall: 'Put me down! Put me down!'. Local outlet Republika said others heard her shout 'help me'. The circumstances around her death remain unclear, with some local news outlets reporting that she had been filming a promotional video for a local tourist agency. Ms Radonjic had allegedly agreed to a free parasailing ride in exchange for the video to 'boost business with tourists for the summer holiday season'. The film was supposed to show Ms Radonkic in a bikini soaring happily over the Budva Riviera on a parasail being towed by a speed boat, it was reported in NewsFlash. Witnesses told local media she looked happy and relaxed as she was buckled in and told how to sit in the safety harness. But Republika have reported that she may have suffered a 'panic attack'. Another outlet has said suicide has not been ruled out, but loved ones said they do not believe she would have taken her own life. The teen's parents, Branka and Goran, shared a heartbreaking farewell ahead of her funeral today: 'We will never come to terms with this, nor accept that you are gone. 'You will remain in our hearts forever. Our bravest we love you endlessly and will be missed forever. 'Rest in peace and may the angels watch over you. Now you are one of them.' Police are investigating the death but the owner of the operating tour company said she appeared happy before the activity: 'She was cheerful and in a good mood before the flight. She showed no fear of heights or flying. 'Before we set off, she waved to her friends on the beach and they waved back. Everything seemed fine. 'We don't know why she unbuckled her seat belt and harness and jumped out. 'I guess she didn't do it consciously, but in a moment of uncontrollable fear.' He added: 'I am sorry for the death of the young girl. I hope to meet her parents to express my condolences in person. 'We are all in shock after the accident that happened.' The tour company suspects she got scared because she thought something was wrong with the equipment, adding: 'Maybe she wasn't aware of the height she was flying at.' They added: 'I do not know exactly what happened. She did not show any fear of flying, she underwent training, after which the tragedy followed. 'Technical inspections of all the equipment are underway, and the results of the autopsy are awaited.' Republika reported that she had been on holiday with her aunt when she passed away. She posted in a moving tribute online: 'I can't believe I'm writing this. 'We should now be thinking about what bathing suits to bring, where to drink coffee while the baby sleeps, what song to sing in the car. 'We should have enjoyed the sun and you said to me: "go, rest, I'll take care of the baby now." 'We should have celebrated graduation, not sent you off. 'I can still hear your laugh. I can still see how you hold my son and how you talk to him, how you laugh while he laughs.' Her friends in her hometown paid tribute to the victim, with one lifelong pal saying: 'If I could choose who to spend my childhood with, I would choose you again.' Another friend posted: 'She was full of life, always smiling. She never cared about what others thought of her.'
Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
The cheaper, quieter Amalfi Coast alternative only in-the-know Italians visit
Envisioning Italy's coastline often conjures up the colourful cliffside villages of the Amalfi Coast, or the vibrant, emerald sea of Sardinia. However, tucked along the Adriatic coast in central Italy's Marche region, the Conero Riviera (Riviera del Conero) feels like a well-kept secret whispered only among those in the know – a slice of paradise far from the hordes. Towering over the 20 kilometres of shoreline is Monte Conero, a 572-metre limestone promontory that disrupts the usual, flat rhythm of Italy's other Adriatic beaches. Rich vegetation, characterised by Mediterranean scrub and Aleppo pines, spills down rocky slopes to meet white-pebbled beaches and azure waters, offering a theatrical interplay between cliffs, forest and sea. Beyond its raw nature, the coastline is punctuated by charming hilltop towns, where cobbled streets slalom past stone houses and panoramic terraces overlook the waves. Buses and trains are few and far between in the area, meaning renting a car is the best way to get around smoothly. Fortunately, there are a number of car rental services at nearby Marche Airport, which was recently ranked as Italy's 27th busiest – far below the likes of bustling Rome Fiumicino or Milan Malpensa. But this lack of public transport only helps to preserve Conero's authenticity. Take the walled town of Osimo, just 15 kilometres southeast of Ancona. Known locally as the 'town without heads' – a nod to the 12 headless statues which line the entrance of the town hall – Osimo's spiritual crown jewel, Cathedral of Saint Leopardo (named after the town's first saint), is a striking blend of Gothic and Romanesque architecture. Just a five-minute walk from the 12th-century cathedral is the Basilica of St Giuseppe of Copertino, a church teeming with colourful Giotto-style frescoes. Beneath the streets lies a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers, the caves of Osimo (grotte di Osimo), some of which date back 2,500 years. The multi-layered network, which can only be accessed with a tour guide, includes former worship sites, catacombs and war shelters. Of the four caves, Grotte del Cantinone is the largest. South of Osimo is the Conero Regional Park, a protected natural area home to rare coastal fauna and wild boar – the latter of which is also a staple on the menus of local agriturismi (farmstays), which dish up farm-to-table meals including local cheeses that are washed down with a glass of Rosso Conero, a full-bodied red made with Montepulciano grapes. Agriturismo Poggio del Conero and Agriturismo La Sorgente both come highly recommended. Trekking is a popular pastime in this neck of the woods, and though trails are well-signposted, it's advisable to check the Ente Parco del Conero website or AllTrails before heading out. The North and South Belvedere offer sweeping views of the blue-flag beaches below, whilst the Passo del Lupo trail offers a more focused view at the iconic Two Sisters (Le Due Sorelle) beach. Folklore has it this particular beach – named after the two stacks jutting out of the sea – owes its origins to a siren who lured sailors into a cave with her voice. To help her capture them, a sea demon transformed into a rock, which then split into two parts, forming the 'sisters'. To reach this wild beach, you'll need to take a boat from the neighbouring Numana port. Note that there are no beach services available here, however, so remember to bring your own towels, food and drink. If you're after easy-to-reach beaches with a few facilities, fret not: there are plenty in the surrounding area including, Portonovo, San Michele, Sassi Neri, Urbani and Del Frate. Del Frate beach is closest to Sirolo, a medieval village perched on the southern slopes of Monte Conero. The village has a laid-back, quaint feel, with many small shops selling handmade goods reflecting the town's heritage, and alleyways lined with an abundance of colourful houses perfect for getting lost in. For the best views, grab a gelato from Gelateria Quattrini (which makes classic flavours as well as experimental ones) and head over to the panoramic balcony, where rumour has it you can see Croatia on a clear day. Likewise, for aperitivo, swan over to Il Grillo to sip a glass of wine whilst snacking on olive all'ascolana, moreish green olives stuffed with mincemeat and cheese then fried in breadcrumbs. Ristorante della Rosa and Vicolo Urbani are both good options for dinner, both offering tasting menus and their own fresh produce – though the former has the added bonus of a sea view. Within walking distance of Sirolo is Numana, a town divided into two parts: the old-world Numana Alta and the livelier Numana Bassa. Both have easily accessible beaches with various amenities. Specialties along the shore include moscioli di Portonovo (mussels harvested from the area and served steamed, with lemon, or tossed in pasta) and brodetto all'anconetana, a rustic fish stew made with up to 13 types of seafood simmered in tomato, garlic and vinegar. While most towns in the area serve these dishes, one no-frills local favourite in Numana is Ricci Pescato & Fritto di Ricci Fernando, known for its freshly fried fish. The fare is easy on the purse strings without scrimping on flavour. If that isn't enough to whet your appetite, wine lovers can indulge in tastings of Rosso Conero (among others) at Fattoria le Terrazze vineyard – a winery that's been in the same family since 1882, and sits just a five-minute drive from the centre of Numana. Another short drive – this time inland – takes you to Loreto, a hilltop town famous for its Basilica della Santa Casa, believed to house the Holy House of Nazareth, where the Virgin Mary lived and received the Annunciation. It's one of Italy's most important pilgrimage sites, and a thoroughly fitting end to your offbeat adventure in Italy's best Amalfi alternative. Essentials
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Croatia's coastline under threat as tourism boom fuels environmental concerns
BOZAVA, May 31 — With its rugged coastline, pristine waters and more than a thousand inlets and islands, Croatia has seen a tourist boom in recent years. Last year alone, more than 20 million visited the Balkan nation, much of which stretches along the Adriatic Sea. But the environmental impact of tourism on the nearly 6,000-kilometre (3,720-mile) coastline and marine life is troubling experts—and prompting calls for action. Sakarun beach on Dugi Otok island is often called 'Croatia's Caribbean'. Tourist boats drop anchor in the turquoise waters of the bay and head for its white sands. Some visitors complained, however, about unsightly swathes of Posidonia or dark Mediterranean seagrass on the shore, which led to its removal. The heavy machinery involved also removed sediment, resulting in the gradual disappearance of the sandy beach over the last decade. Croatia only has only a small number of sandy and pebble beaches, while the rest are rocky. 'We don't have many sandy beaches so it's important that the sand we have is protected,' said geologist Kristina Pikelj, from Zagreb University Faculty of Science. In 2021, she launched a project to monitor Sakarun, and to educate locals and tourists about the vital role played by the so-called 'lungs of the sea'. Posidonia—a key store of carbon and producer of oxygen—is critical to slowing the effects of climate change, as well as being vital for marine habitats and providing an erosion buffer for the beaches. For the past three years Posidonia, which was once used as a vineyard fertiliser, has been left on the beach, spread apart in piles. 'We understand the tourist aspect, to show them the sand, this bay is beautiful and people really enjoy it,' said Pikelj. Marija Meklav, one of three students participating in the fieldwork at Sakarun, added: 'We are trying to raise public awareness and achieve something directly through field and laboratory work. 'Our generation can achieve something in this regard,' the 24-year-old said. Artificial beaches With tourist numbers growing, local authorities have been expanding beach capacity for tourists in search of sun, sea and sand. At some locations so-called beach nourishment—adding sediment to repair natural erosion—has been carried out. But the technique has also been used to cover natural rocky parts with gravel or even concrete. During winter, the sea carries it away, meaning the costly process has to be repeated every season Dalibor Carevic, from Zagreb University Faculty of Civil Engineering said in places like Primosten, often called 'the town of beaches' on the central coast north of Split, the practice has gone too far. Experts repeatedly warned against the removal of hundreds of metres of rocks along one of its central beaches. The rocks were ground and mixed with quarry stones to make an artificial pebble beach that opened in 2011, with the process repeated every year. In less than a decade the coastline at the Mala Raduca beach has shifted by some 20 metres towards the sea, satellite pictures show. Primosten's veteran mayor Stipe Petrina, though, said beach nourishment was essential for a town dependent entirely on tourism. 'One cannot have a capacity for 15,000 people and beaches for 2,000,' he told AFP comparing it with a ski resort that hosts thousands of skiers but only offers a few hundred metres of slopes. When tourism started to take off in the 1960s, locals ground rocks to make access to the sea easier. 'Once there were vineyards here that could have remained but we would have all emigrated. The question is what is better,' said Petrina. 'In another Primosten bay there are rocks but I cannot see many tourists there,' Petrina said. The town of 2,800 people hosted nearly 90,000 tourists last year, mostly between July and August. In early May, German tourist Karin Hoggermann watched trucks bringing new gravel to prepare the beach for the season. 'For swimming and going in the sea, for kids, it's better that they repair the beach. Tourists would not come if they would not do that,' she said. Conquest of the sea Unlike in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands or France, which also use beach nourishment, few rivers flow into the Adriatic Sea off Croatia, making its ecosystem more vulnerable as it is less accustomed to additional sediment input. Excessive construction even in protected marine areas, concreting, non-compliance with regulations and huge fleets of charter boats also take their toll. The number of car parks, marinas, ports and roads are also growing. One long-term solution is to raise awareness among locals and authorities as well as education, experts said, urging consultation for more sustainable solutions. 'That conquest of the sea is not good and should be discouraged,' said Carevic. — AFP
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Booming Tourism Takes its Toll on Croatia's Coast
With its rugged coastline, pristine waters and more than a thousand inlets and islands, Croatia has seen a tourist boom in recent years. Last year alone, more than 20 million visited the Balkan nation, much of which stretches along the Adriatic Sea. But the environmental impact of tourism on the nearly 6,000-kilometre (3,720-mile) coastline and marine life is troubling experts -- and prompting calls for action. Sakarun beach on Dugi Otok island is often called "Croatia's Caribbean". Tourist boats drop anchor in the turquoise waters of the bay and head for its white sands. Some visitors complained, however, about unsightly swathes of Posidonia or dark Mediterranean seagrass on the shore, which led to its removal, AFP reported. The heavy machinery involved also removed sediment, resulting in the gradual disappearance of the sandy beach over the last decade. Croatia only has only a small number of sandy and pebble beaches, while the rest are rocky. "We don't have many sandy beaches so it's important that the sand we have is protected," said geologist Kristina Pikelj, from Zagreb University Faculty of Science. In 2021, she launched a project to monitor Sakarun, and to educate locals and tourists about the vital role played by the so-called "lungs of the sea". Posidonia -- a key store of carbon and producer of oxygen -- is critical to slowing the effects of climate change, as well as being vital for marine habitats and providing an erosion buffer for the beaches. For the past three years Posidonia, which was once used as a vineyard fertilizer, has been left on the beach, spread apart in piles. "We understand the tourist aspect, to show them the sand, this bay is beautiful and people really enjoy it," said Pikelj. Marija Meklav, one of three students participating in the fieldwork at Sakarun, added: "We are trying to raise public awareness and achieve something directly through field and laboratory work. "Our generation can achieve something in this regard," the 24-year-old said. With tourist numbers growing, local authorities have been expanding beach capacity for tourists in search of sun, sea and sand. At some locations so-called beach nourishment -- adding sediment to repair natural erosion -- has been carried out. But the technique has also been used to cover natural rocky parts with gravel or even concrete. During winter, the sea carries it away, meaning the costly process has to be repeated every season Dalibor Carevic, from Zagreb University Faculty of Civil Engineering said in places like Primosten, often called "the town of beaches" on the central coast north of Split, the practice has gone too far. Experts repeatedly warned against the removal of hundreds of meters of rocks along one of its central beaches. The rocks were ground and mixed with quarry stones to make an artificial pebble beach that opened in 2011, with the process repeated every year. In less than a decade the coastline at the Mala Raduca beach has shifted by some 20 meters towards the sea, satellite pictures show. Primosten's veteran mayor Stipe Petrina, though, said beach nourishment was essential for a town dependent entirely on tourism. "One cannot have a capacity for 15,000 people and beaches for 2,000," he told AFP comparing it with a ski resort that hosts thousands of skiers but only offers a few hundred meters of slopes. When tourism started to take off in the 1960s, locals ground rocks to make access to the sea easier. "Once there were vineyards here that could have remained but we would have all emigrated. The question is what is better," said Petrina. "In another Primosten bay there are rocks but I cannot see many tourists there," Petrina said. The town of 2,800 people hosted nearly 90,000 tourists last year, mostly between July and August. In early May, German tourist Karin Hoggermann watched trucks bringing new gravel to prepare the beach for the season. "For swimming and going in the sea, for kids, it's better that they repair the beach. Tourists would not come if they would not do that," she said. Unlike in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands or France, which also use beach nourishment, few rivers flow into the Adriatic Sea off Croatia, making its ecosystem more vulnerable as it is less accustomed to additional sediment input. Excessive construction even in protected marine areas, concreting, non-compliance with regulations and huge fleets of charter boats also take their toll. The number of car parks, marinas, ports and roads are also growing. One long-term solution is to raise awareness among locals and authorities as well as education, experts said, urging consultation for more sustainable solutions. "That conquest of the sea is not good and should be discouraged," said Carevic.
