Imagine this — a flood of water poured right into the yard of one of Zagreb’s most important hospitals, the Infectious Diseases Clinic Dr. Fran Mihaljević! Yes, you read that right. Firefighters had to act fast and set up a 15-meter-long red barrier to stop the water surge that flooded the hospital’s basement. It all happened just after six in the morning, and the water reached a height of 10 centimeters in the basement rooms measuring 20 by 20 meters.
How did this disaster happen? A water pipe burst in the forest above H. Bollea street, and water rushed uncontrollably down the hill straight towards the hospital. Imagine the panic and the swift response of firefighters and police who arrived immediately on the scene. Using pumps, they managed to reduce the water level to five centimeters by 7:40 a.m., and the water was redirected to the roadway, reducing the inflow.
Fortunately, no patients were endangered, and hospital operations were not interrupted. The hospital director, Alemka Markotić, stated that damage is still being assessed, especially to technical equipment like compressors. Repairs are underway, and expert teams are evaluating the damage.
This incident shines a harsh light on the seriousness of infrastructure and the urgent need for maintenance of water systems, especially in critical facilities like hospitals. Will this happen again? Hopefully not, but it’s clear that better prevention is needed.
Meanwhile, as firefighters battled the water, social media exploded with comments — from sarcastic remarks about long-standing political leadership to questions about projects and investments in Zagreb. “Again Bandić!” shouts one user, while others doubt the efficiency of the city administration.
This event is not just a local problem — it’s a warning to all of us about the importance of infrastructure upkeep and emergency preparedness. What do you think? Is this just an unfortunate accident or a symptom of deeper issues? Drop a comment, maybe together we’ll find a solution or at least a good joke about a flood in a hospital!
