Residents of Buturović Polje, a settlement near Konjic in Herzegovina, faced a sleepless night as heavy rain was expected to return. Five days after devastating floods and landslides killed at least twenty-three people, authorities issued a mandatory evacuation.
Most residents were relocated during the night of October 8th, but not everyone left. Nijaz Padalović, a local resident, chose to stay behind. "They sent buses and took people away," he explained. "Only men stayed. My son stayed; I sent my wife." Padalović mentioned two flood victims had already been found in the area, with search efforts ongoing for two more.
Konjic's mayor, Osman Ćatić, confirmed, "We are still searching for two people in Buturović Polje." With at least twenty confirmed dead and six still missing, the tragedy has become one of the worst disasters in Bosnia and Herzegovina since the war three decades ago. Authorities fear the death toll may rise as rescuers continue their search.
Buturović Polje: Where Homes Once Stood
Reaching Buturović Polje was an emotional journey. Damaged roads, covered in mud and debris, led to the heart of the settlement. Police checkpoints restricted entry, and the devastation was clear upon arrival: houses had been swept away by floodwaters, leaving only debris in their wake.
Bećir Hakalović, a resident, pointed to a pile of rocks and mud where his house once stood. "Everything happened in 10 minutes. The water hit, and I watched from my neighbor's balcony as it carried away houses like paper, along with cars and livestock," he said. "I lost everything but my family."
Another resident, Ramiza Uštović, recounted her narrow escape. "I was sleeping. If my neighbor had not come to wake me, I would not have known what was happening. The water could have swept me away," she recalled. Her house, like many others, is beyond repair, and she is unsure of what the future holds for her and her family.
Unity Amid Tragedy
Despite the destruction, the floods have brought together people from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s typically divided communities. A local Orthodox priest visited the Muslim community, a sign of solidarity. Imam Senahid Zukan noted, "God made us different on purpose, so we could be like a bouquet of the most beautiful flowers."
This sense of unity has extended beyond faith. Local volunteers, rescue teams, and neighbors have been working together to clear debris and support one another in recovery efforts.
Selo Zlate: Lives and Homes Lost
In the village of Zlate, the devastation was similarly severe. Twelve houses were destroyed, and a pregnant woman tragically lost her life. Many residents are unsure if they will return, as the damage has left the future uncertain.
Investigations have begun into whether illegal quarries in the area contributed to the landslides, worsening the disaster. Despite this, the region remains resilient, with recovery efforts already underway. The people of Herzegovina are determined to rebuild, showing remarkable strength in the face of immense loss.
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