03.07.2025.
Minister Gašić visits fire-affected Vinci weekend settlement
Defence Minister Bratislav Gašić visited the Vinci weekend settlement, where the fire that broke out three days ago was contained.
Minister Gašić discussed the current situation with representatives of the local government, cottage owners and residents of the Vinci village where large fires have broken out several times in the past 10 years, as well as the measures taken to repair the damage.
- What is most important is that the fire did not cause any human casualties and that no animals were harmed. This is the biggest fear we face in such situations and, thank God, it did not happen - Minister Gašić said.
According to him, the competent institutions that are already on the ground, should examine all the circumstances and causes of the unfortunate event.
- If the investigation finds that the fire was caused by improper work of the Armed Forces, then the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces will compensate for the damage - Minister Gašić stated emphasising that the Serbian Armed Forces personnel will be available to citizens as long as necessary, to prevent the re-emergence and spread of fire.
He thanked the members of the Armed Forces and everyone who was engaged in extinguishing the fire.
- Thanks to their professionalism, dedication and efficiency - the fire was contained. Members of the Serbian Armed Forces, around 200 of them, as well as military engineering vehicles, fire trucks, helicopters of the Air Force and Air Defence, with the help and support of two helicopters of the Ministry of the Interior, as well as numerous locals, made maximum efforts to stop the fire that was spreading to a dense pine forest, several hectares of grassy land and the settlement of Vinci. Tons of water were delivered to the area and fortunately the fire was brought under control which prevented wider damage - Minister Gašić emphasised and praised the work and engagement of members of the Emergency Management Department and Local Self-Government.
The President of the Municipality of Veliko Gradiste, Dragan Milić, thanked the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces for their quick intervention and sending helicopters to extinguish the fire, because, as he said, without their involvement, the consequences would have been much greater.
Brigadier General Dragiša Zlatković, Commander of the Training Command, Brigadier General Siniša Stašević, Head of Training and Doctrine Directorate (J-7) of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, Colonel Nikola Matović, Deputy Head of Defence Minister’s Private Office, Aleksandar Đukić, President of the Municipal Assembly of Golubac, and Stojan Makić, Head of the Emergency Management Department in Požarevac, were among those who attended the visit.
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VIDEOGALLERY03.07.2025
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