The Drina River turned into a scene of heartbreak yesterday at the 25th Drina Regatta in Ljubovija. Radiša M., 33, from Vrhpolje, who just hours before the tragedy posted a video on social media showing him happily singing and enjoying time with friends on a boat, tragically drowned after falling off the boat under still unclear circumstances.
Organizers immediately canceled all scheduled events, including a concert by the famous Ana Bekuta, as well as games and boat rides planned for the regatta. Radiša’s body was recovered from the river, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Friends and family are devastated. His best friend posted a heartbreaking farewell message: “Friend, did it have to end like this? You were the best guy, a pure soul, such people are no longer born. It’s hard, brother, really hard. May angels watch over you, may God grant you paradise.”
This tragedy casts a dark shadow over one of the most beautiful events on the Drina, which this year was marked by grief and sorrow. People came to enjoy nature, music, and company, only to leave in tears and disbelief. How can such tragedies be prevented? Was safety at the regatta adequate? These are the questions troubling everyone who was there.
If you were at the regatta or have thoughts on what happened, drop a comment below. Maybe together we can understand what went wrong and how to stop such tragedies in the future.
