The Drina Regatta, a beloved event that has brought thousands together in joy and celebration for 25 years, was shattered this year by a tragedy that stunned everyone. Radiša Mijailović, 33, from the village of Vrhpolje near Ljubovija, drowned in the Drina River around 1:30 PM. Despite the swift response from rescuers and emergency services, they could not save him. His body was quickly recovered, and the medical examiner found no injuries, concluding the likely cause of death was a heart attack. This marks the first fatality in the 25-year history of the Drina Regatta, an event previously known only for happiness and fun.
Eyewitnesses say Radiša jumped into the water, and the accident happened within the Bajina Bašta municipality, which is why the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Užice is investigating. Organizers canceled part of the regatta program due to the tragedy, leaving participants and spectators in shock and sorrow. This dark cloud now hangs over an event that has long symbolized community and good times on the Drina.
Can such a tragedy really happen at a place considered safe for a quarter-century? How will organizers respond going forward? And what lessons can we learn from this heartbreaking incident? Got thoughts or a similar story? Share it — maybe together we can stop the next tragedy before it happens.
