"Chaotic when we got to the port"

 

 

Montenegro
Major blackouts on the Balkan Peninsula: "Total collapse"

Astrid Larsson,

Ellen Sundstrom

Updated 17.34 | Published 14.39

A massive blackout has hit the Balkan Peninsula on Friday.

Traffic lights have stopped working and people are stuck in elevators.

- I saw many people who did not get enough water. It was chaos, says Swede Joel Sundström from Croatia

Almost all of Montenegro, Bosnia and large parts of Croatia and Albania have been affected by a widespread power outage.

The power outage occurred at 12.30 and a couple of hours later, large parts are still without electricity.
 

The Sarajevo Times reports that traffic lights have stopped working and describes the situation in Bosnia's capital Sarajevo as a "total collapse".

Police officers direct traffic when the traffic lights stop working. Photo: Armin Durgut / AP

"It's chaotic"

Aftonbladet has spoken to a Swedish tourist who is in Sarajevo and wishes to remain anonymous.

- It's chaotic. People are stuck in elevators and trams are standing up in the streets. Now there are police officers with whistles and redirecting the traffic, says the tourist and continues:

- The problem is that it is almost 40 degrees outside and no AC works.

Several people have also contacted Aftonbladet and told that hotels are completely turned off.

         Empty buses in Sarajevo. Photo: Armin Durgut / AP

The locals helped

Joel Sundström and Gustav Eriksson Photo: Private

The island of Hvar in Croatia is also completely without power, according to the data.

Swedes Joel Sundström and Erik Gustavsson are also on holiday with friends, and made a day trip to the island.

- It was chaotic when we arrived at the harbor with the boat. I saw many who did not get enough water, all the shops had been closed. Families with children crowded into the corners where there was shade, not everyone could fit. I saw children crying, he says.

Erik Gustavsson has diabetes. When he could not withdraw cash, the situation immediately became serious.

- I felt my blood sugar drop, and I went down for a few minutes.

But a man from the local population came up to him and gave him coke, some chewy biscuits, nuts and berries.

- He was like a gift from above. I am extremely grateful, says Erik Gustavsson.

They say that a lot of people joined up at the port and helped each other.

- I have a headline suggestion for you: Humanity trumps the crisis in Croatia, says Joel Sundström.
 

"Many unknowns"

  

tSwedish Markus Sellberg Photo: Private

Swedish Markus Sellberg is on holiday in the town of Tučepi in Croatia.

- There is a power outage at the hotel, but many are unaware, I think.

He does not describe the same chaotic situation as in Sarajevo.

- The holiday lull still works. People lie down on the beach. They have started the generator at the hotel, so at least we have AC, he says and continues:

- It's really hot here, about 35 degrees. So without AC it would have been run.

Markus has been here since Saturday and will go home tomorrow.

- I am waiting for information from Apollo, he says.

Later in the afternoon, Markus writes that the power is back at his hotel.