A tragic accident in Montenegro has left a family devastated and sparked questions about parasailing safety after a 19-year-old Serbian teen, identified as Tijana, died during a parasailing ride.
According to Republika, the fatal incident occurred on Wednesday, May 28, in Budva, Montenegro. Video footage circulated online capturing the chilling moment Tijana struggled to unbuckle her safety belt and remove her life vest mid-air—just moments before she fell nearly 160 feet into the Adriatic Sea.
Reports Reveal Teen Was Offered Free Parasailing Ride
It’s been reported that Tijana was approached by a member of the parasailing crew while on the beach and offered a free ride—a gesture that turned deadly. A representative allegedly extended the offer to the teen, convincing her to take part in the excursion. The company now faces intense scrutiny over whether proper protocols were followed before she was launched into the air.
The parasailing operator, Mirko Krdzic, told reporters that Tijana “did not show any fear of flying” and that she went through the standard training session beforehand. “She underwent training after which the tragedy followed,” he said.
Owner Claims Equipment Was Inspected; Authorities Await Autopsy Result
Krdzic insists that all safety measures were in place and that technical inspections of the equipment were completed prior to the ride. “Technical inspections of all the equipment are underway and the results of the autopsy are awaited,” he told local outlets.
However, video clips showing the teen struggling to remove her safety gear have fueled public outrage and suspicion. Many online are questioning how a participant was able to detach themselves from both the safety belt and the life vest while airborne—raising red flags about the integrity of the equipment and the training process.
Local authorities are investigating, and more details are expected once the autopsy and technical analysis of the parasailing rig are completed.