Heatwave and long queues cripple Croatia-Serbia border crossing
Travelers at the Bajakovo-Batrovci checkpoint endured up to eight-hour waits in temperatures above 95°F as holiday traffic surged.
The popular Bajakovo-Batrovci border crossing between Croatia and Serbia became a bottleneck on Saturday, trapping drivers in lines up to seven kilometres long and forcing waits of up to eight hours. Scorching weather, with temperatures exceeding 95 °F (35 °C), left travelers exhausted, hungry and thirsty. Traffic surged in both directions, reflecting the peak of summer holiday movement as tourists headed to Croatia’s coastal destinations.
The congestion followed the recent rollout of the European Union’s Entry-Exit System, a biometric screening tool that has been in use since April, though officials have not confirmed whether it contributed to the backlog. Individual commuters, such as Senad Arman returning from a family holiday and 72-year-old Vjekoslav Draskovic, voiced frustration and regret over the unprecedented delays.
Why it matters
The gridlock highlights how infrastructure and new border controls can strain travel during peak tourism periods.
In this story