Firefighter in Korčula gives water to exhausted turtle during Pelješac wildfire
During firefighting on Pelješac, a Korčula firefighter was photographed giving water to a turtle exhausted by the flames.
A firefighter from Korčula paused while tackling blazes to help a turtle weakened by the flames, offering it water from a plastic bottle in a moment captured by a photographer.
The image shows the firefighter holding the animal in one hand while the turtle reaches for water from the bottle in the other; the photograph quickly gained attention on social media after being posted by the official Facebook page "Vatrogasci Korčula", which also published a series of pictures from firefighting operations on Pelješac.
Those who commented under the post praised the crews for both their bravery and their compassion, noting that the teams found time to care for animals left behind while they were focused on rescuing people and protecting homes.
Fire situation and other footage
The photograph was taken earlier this week during firefighting on Pelješac. The fires remain active today at several locations across Croatia, with parts of Zadar County affected; the blazes near Omiš and Pelješac are reported to be in a phase of containment.
Fire crews also released shocking video footage showing operations in the heart of the Omiš fire, highlighting the scale and intensity of the ongoing emergency.
The tender scene of a firefighter giving water to the exhausted turtle became a focal point online, symbolizing small acts of care amid a larger crisis.
Photo: Fejsbuk
