Two Germans killed in small plane crash in Croatia

A small aircraft registered in Germany crashed in the Velebit mountains near the coastal city of Zadar, Croatia.

Two German nationals on board the glider were killed, according to the Croatian News Agency (HINA), citing the State Investigation Agency for Aviation, Maritime, and Railway Accidents (AZAN) on Saturday evening.

The agency has not yet provided further details regarding the age or gender of the victims. According to an unconfirmed report published by the website jutarnji.hr, the victims are believed to be a retired man and woman, with the man piloting the aircraft.

According to the State Investigation Agency for Aviation, Maritime, and Railway Accidents, the motorized Diamond HK36 Super Dimona glider crashed on Friday at 16:14 in the Bakinica area of the Paklenica National Park in the Velebit mountains. The agency added that the causes of the accident remain under investigation.

Croatian police stated that the wreckage of the aircraft and the bodies of the victims were only found after an extensive search in rugged terrain. Civil protection personnel, fire departments, and mountain rescue teams participated in the search operations.

Based on the aircraft registration number cited by Croatian police, the small plane was registered in Germany. According to the State Investigation Agency for Aviation, Maritime, and Railway Accidents, the aircraft was traveling from the Czech city of Olomouc to Zadar.