What to do and Who to call during an emergency in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Emergency in Bosnia and Herzegovina? Call 124 for an ambulance, 123 for firefighters, or 122 for Police. For a serious flood, landslide or civil-protection incident, 121 is the official disaster operational centre number. Give your town or municipality, street or road, building and nearby landmark. Call immediately when anyone is badly injured, unconscious, threatened or trapped.

This Bosnia and Herzegovina guide covers Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka, Tuzla, Zenica, Bihać, Trebinje, the mountain regions and rivers. Immediate contacts and a numbered action plan appear first. The remainder covers medical emergencies, fires, crime, flooding, road collisions, mountain rescue and a distinctive local safety issue: landmines and unexploded ordnance remain dangerous, including after floods move debris. Sources checked 7 November 2026.

Emergency numbers: quick reference

124 — Emergency medical services: unconsciousness, abnormal breathing, serious chest pain, heavy bleeding, major injury or other life-threatening symptoms.
123 — Firefighters: a dangerous building fire, smoke, explosion hazard or serious vegetation fire.
122 — Police: an attack or violent threat, crime in progress or reporting a suspicious explosive object from a safe location.
121 — Civil Protection operational centre: major flood or landslide, evacuation coordination and other civil-protection emergencies.
1265 — Domestic violence support in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: toll-free specialist support, not urgent Police dispatch.
1264 — Domestic violence support in Republika Srpska: toll-free specialist support, not urgent Police dispatch.
1282, 1285, 1288 — Roadside assistance: contacts published by Sarajevo for breakdown and motoring services. Choose based on the relevant service or area, and use an emergency number for major injury or fire.

These numbers are published by the City of Sarajevo and the Federal Administration of Civil Protection. The UK Government and US Government confirm 122, 123 and 124. Do not assume a single EU-style 112 routing system substitutes for these verified contacts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The first minute: seven things to do

Get out of immediate danger if possible. Avoid smoke, moving traffic, armed threats, floodwater, falling rock and anything that might be a mine or unexploded device.
Call the relevant emergency number. Dial 124 medical, 123 fire, 122 Police or 121 Civil Protection depending on the main danger.
Give the precise location first. Town, municipality, road, house or apartment, floor and a recognised landmark; in rural areas give village, bridge or signed road.
Describe what happened in one sentence. ‘A person has collapsed’; ‘water is trapping three people’; ‘a building is on fire’.
Count injured, trapped and at-risk people. State breathing difficulty, severe bleeding, unconsciousness, weapons and immediate hazards as relevant.
Follow the operator’s instructions. Stay on the line as advised, give a callback number and use only safe and appropriate first aid.
Help crews find the correct approach. Arrange a guide at a safe junction, entrance or village road when possible; explain blocked routes.

A useful report is: ‘Ambulance needed. One adult is unconscious at [street/house], [town], floor two, apartment six. The entrance is at [landmark]. My number is [phone].’ For a river emergency, name the river, closest bridge, road and how many people need rescue. Do not invent GPS coordinates or cross hazardous ground to get a closer view.

Why 121, 122, 123 and 124 are separate

Bosnia and Herzegovina has civil-protection structures and emergency organisations whose responsibilities and local arrangements differ among the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska and Brčko District. The standard direct contacts are consistently published: 122 Police, 123 firefighters, 124 medical assistance and 121 civil protection coordination. An immediate medical collapse is not a routine civil-protection enquiry; dial the ambulance number. A wide-area flood may require the operational centre as well as direct medical or fire rescue.

In some European countries 112 connects every service. The latest Bosnia-specific UK and US travel guidance lists the dedicated short codes instead. Do not advise a reader to rely exclusively on 112 without a verified Bosnia-wide implementation. If a short call fails, try a different phone or ask a safe local person or hotel employee to place it. Adding +387 and a city code to a three-digit emergency short code does not turn it into an internationally dialable number.

Medical emergency: use 124 without waiting for a diagnosis

Unconsciousness, severe chest pain, stroke signs and major injury

Call 124 when someone is unconscious, is not breathing normally, has sudden one-sided weakness, severe chest pain, heavy bleeding, major trauma, serious allergic symptoms, seizures or another life-threatening event. Tell the dispatcher what you can see and when the symptoms started. You do not need to know which hospital will receive the patient or provide a medical diagnosis.

If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow instructions on CPR and use of an AED where available and within your training. Ask another safe helper to find the AED or guide the ambulance. Do not offer food or drink to someone unconscious or unable to swallow. Avoid moving a person with suspected severe spinal or head injury unless the present location is immediately unsafe.

The US government warns that healthcare and emergency resources may be limited outside major cities and in some remote areas. A rural address, safe access road and precise patient condition are critical. A patient with a serious injury should not wait for insurance paperwork or an attempt to select a preferred clinic before getting urgent help.

Non-life-threatening care

A mild illness, stable chronic symptom or routine medication question normally belongs with a qualified clinic, doctor or local medical service. Emergency medical dispatch is for conditions requiring immediate action. If someone deteriorates, becomes unresponsive or develops severe difficulty breathing, use 124 rather than waiting for a routine appointment. Check local medical options before travelling to isolated areas.

Fire, smoke and rapidly spreading vegetation fires

Call 123 for a house, apartment, hotel, business, vehicle or forest fire that threatens people or property. Raise an alarm, warn others where safe, leave by a suitable route, and close doors behind you when safe to slow smoke. Avoid ordinary lifts during active building fires. Do not re-enter for belongings.

If the exit is blocked by dense smoke, do not attempt to force a passage. Describe the room, floor, window and staircase to firefighters and follow their directions. A historic building or narrow old-town road may have restricted vehicle access; specify the entrance and nearest usable road.

Strong wind can spread forest fire quickly in dry, hilly terrain. Report the hillside, nearby village, road and whether houses or hikers are at risk. Do not drive into smoke to take photographs or return to a closed property to rescue possessions. An evacuation order should be followed early, before roads and escape routes become blocked.

Police emergencies: 122

Call 122 for an assault, serious threats, armed robbery in progress or a dangerous situation requiring immediate Police intervention. Move to safety if you can, then explain the exact location and what you actually observed. Do not follow an offender or approach someone with a weapon to gather evidence.

A theft discovered after a suspect has gone and nobody is endangered may be reported through the relevant local Police station. An ongoing attack is different; urgent Police intervention takes priority over completing forms, contacting an insurer or obtaining a photograph. If an injured person also needs urgent medical care, seek 124.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance: a serious local danger

Some areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina remain contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance. The US State Department’s 27 August 2026 travel advisory says explosions caused fatalities as recently as August 2025. Even after decades of mine clearance, rural land, unmarked trails and abandoned structures can be dangerous.

Stay on hard-surfaced, regularly used roads and maintained and officially approved marked trails. Do not enter abandoned military structures, destroyed buildings, suspicious fields or overgrown paths. Respect all mine-warning signs and closures. A social-media route, an ordinary navigation app or evidence that other people walked across an area does not establish that the ground is free of explosive devices.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Centre (BHMAC) coordinates mine-action information and maintains official risk materials. Check BHMAC and its 2025–2027 strategy when preparing to work or travel in rural areas. Official clearance information matters more than an assumption that every location near a tourist town is safe.

What to do if you see a suspected mine, shell or explosive object

Stop and do not touch it. Never move, kick, lift, dismantle, cover or disturb a suspicious object.
Warn others to remain clear. Do not invite children, hikers or tourists to approach for a photograph.
Avoid unassessed steps across unknown ground. If you may be inside a contaminated area, do not improvise an exit; seek specialist guidance.
Report the hazard to Police 122 from safety. State the general location and what you can describe without approaching.
Wait for trained personnel. Do not attempt to mark or remove the item by entering risky ground.
Respect signs and closed routes. Do not cross a barrier just because it appears old or damaged.
After a flood, be extra cautious. New debris and objects may have moved into previously unmarked places.

The US government’s 2026 landmine and travel advisory gives the precaution to stay off unmarked trails and avoid abandoned buildings. If you are already in a potential minefield, remaining safe and seeking instructions from qualified responders is more appropriate than testing ground or trying to clear a device yourself.

A flood can move explosives outside marked mine zones

A critical Bosnia-specific warning is that floods and landslides can shift landmines and other explosive remnants into places that were previously marked as safe. The US State Department explicitly warns of this possibility. After a severe flood, do not handle a newly exposed shell, metal device or other suspicious object on a riverbank, road edge or garden. Call Police from a safe location and keep others away.

This danger means a road or riverside footpath may not become safe the moment water levels drop. Avoid unmaintained trails and unknown debris until the competent authorities assess them. A photograph or map of a previously cleared area is not proof that every post-flood object is harmless.

Floods and flash flooding: keep people ahead of property

Heavy rainfall or snowmelt can flood low roads, river crossings, basements and settlements. Do not drive through fast-moving or unknown water. Roads may have been undermined, electrical installations may be exposed and dangerous debris can travel with the current. Obey official road closures and evacuation directions rather than following a navigation shortcut.

The Federal Civil Protection Administration advises households at risk to move essential items to higher levels before flooding, store drinking water, have an evacuation bag ready and follow competent local instructions. If water blocks an exit, move to a safer upper level if possible and contact the appropriate emergency service. Do not enter a flooded cellar to save a vehicle or operate wet electrical switches.

After flooding, avoid consuming food, water or medicines that may have been contaminated. Follow the water authority’s advice before using the tap supply and do not return to a damaged structure until assessed. The official steps appear at FUCZ flood instructions.

What Civil Protection 121 does

121 is the operational civil-protection contact listed by the City of Sarajevo and the Federal Civil Protection Administration. It can help coordinate dangerous floods, landslides, evacuations, shelter and wider disaster events. It does not replace the ambulance when a person is not breathing normally or firefighting response when a building is burning.

During a large incident, the civil-protection centre, Police, firefighters, medical responders and local government may all have roles. Make the time-critical direct emergency call first, and report the wider disaster details to the correct operational authority as needed. Give the number of people and a safe access route rather than lengthy speculation.

Landslides, high river levels and severe storms

Hilly and mountainous terrain can become unstable after heavy rain. Cracks, fresh rockfall, shifting trees or unusual ground movement may signal a landslide. Move away from the threatened slope and obey road closures. Do not stand beneath a fresh slide to take photographs, or climb onto unstable debris to search without professional guidance.

The Federal Hydrometeorological Institute publishes current weather forecasts and river monitoring at FHMZ and river gauges and Meteoalarm. A regional forecast does not guarantee a particular bridge or hillside is safe; a serious local closure or evacuation instruction should be followed.

If people are trapped after a landslide, call the relevant emergency service and say the last known building, road, number of people and whether ground is still moving. The safety of helpers matters; a second slide can injure would-be rescuers.

Road crashes: motorway, mountain pass and rural road

A crash involving major injury, fire or dangerous obstruction may need 124 ambulance, 123 firefighters and 122 Police. State the road, direction, town, nearest junction, bridge, kilometre marker and condition of people. Move away from active traffic and leaking fuel. Do not cross live lanes to photograph a vehicle.

Roadside assistance may be available on 1282, 1285 or 1288 according to provider and area, as listed by Sarajevo. For the Republika Srpska motorway network, 1285 is a published breakdown contact. A breakdown without injury is different from a life-threatening collision; arrange emergency help first when people are hurt or trapped.

Mountains: hiking, skiing and safe trails

Bosnia and Herzegovina has mountain and forest tourism, but the possibility of unexploded ordnance makes off-trail exploration a distinct hazard. Use recognised, maintained routes, follow local guides with appropriate expertise and check mine-risk information before entering unfamiliar areas. Avoid abandoned structures and the temptation to take a shortcut through uncleared terrain.

When a hiker is injured or missing, contact the relevant emergency service and give the trail, mountain, nearby hut or village, last known position and safest road access. Do not move into unknown terrain to search if it may be contaminated or unstable. A companion can remain at a safe identifiable location to help rescuers find the group.

Winter weather, cold and power failures

Heavy snow, fog and freezing rain can block mountain passes and delay emergency vehicles. Check current forecasts and official road restrictions, and do not ignore closures. A prolonged power failure may affect heating, water pumps, communication devices and medical equipment. Keep medication, a safe heat plan, warm clothing, torch, water and charged power bank available.

Never operate a fuel generator, charcoal grill or camping stove indoors because of carbon monoxide danger. Keep clear of fallen power lines and damaged utilities. For serious injury or collapse, call 124 rather than treating the incident as a routine power outage.

Domestic violence helplines differ by entity

The US government’s August 2026 Bosnia advisory lists 1265 for domestic violence support in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 1264 in Republika Srpska. These lines can assist with protection information and support arrangements but are not emergency Police dispatch. During an active assault, call 122; if critically injured call 124.

A person facing violence may need urgent protection followed by shelter, psychosocial support and a safe reporting plan. Do not require them to confront the aggressor or make a phone call within hearing of the threatening person if that increases danger. Source: US State Department support numbers.

Useful Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian phrases

‘Upomoć!’ — Help!
‘Treba mi hitna pomoć.’ — I need an ambulance.
‘Požar!’ — Fire!
‘Pozovite policiju.’ — Call the Police.
‘Osoba je bez svijesti.’ — A person is unconscious.
‘Ne diše normalno.’ — The person is not breathing normally.
‘Adresa je…’ — The address is…
‘Govorite li engleski?’ — Do you speak English?
‘Sumnjiv predmet, moguća mina.’ — Suspicious object, possibly a mine.

English-language capability cannot be guaranteed everywhere. Give short clear phrases, an accurate address and a callback number. Ask a trusted nearby person to help pronounce the locality if needed, without delaying a life-saving call.

Give an address responders can actually find

Municipality and town: Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka, Tuzla, Bihać or the correct općina/opština and village.
Street and building: ulica, house or building number, entrance, staircase, floor and apartment.
Motorway or road: route designation, direction, junction, bridge or kilometre marker.
Flood location: river, town, building floor, number of trapped people and remaining safe access.
Mountain: maintained marked trail, hut, nearest road and reliably known coordinates.
Suspicious explosive: report from a safe distance without approaching for closer photographs or coordinates.
Callback: a working phone number and blocked roads or gates.

Preparedness checklist

Save 124 Ambulance, 123 Fire, 122 Police and 121 Civil Protection with clear labels.
Write the full home address, building entrance and nearby landmark; keep a paper copy for visitors.
Identify safe exits, a meeting point and an accessible AED where one is available.
Check the actual flood, landslide and mine risk before work or travel in rural areas.
Stay on known safe roads and maintained paths; do not cross mine warning signs or old barriers.
Keep drinking water, first aid, medication, suitable clothing, torch, power bank and important documents accessible.
Plan who will assist children, older people and anyone unable to evacuate independently.
Listen to official weather, civil protection and evacuation instructions rather than expired social-media warnings.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming an EU-style 112 service is the verified primary contact in every part of Bosnia instead of saving 122, 123 and 124.
Calling roadside assistance while a crash victim is unconscious instead of requesting an ambulance.
Moving or examining a suspicious object, old shell or possible landmine.
Entering an unmarked path or abandoned building because a tourist photograph suggests it is safe.
Assuming a flooded mine-suspect area remains unchanged after moving water.
Driving through a submerged bridge or flooded underpass.
Giving only a city or mountain name rather than the actual road, building or marked safe trail.
Putting routine insurance or complaint paperwork ahead of an urgent call.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ambulance number in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

124, according to the City of Sarajevo, Federal Civil Protection Administration and current UK/US travel advice.

What are the fire and Police emergency numbers?

123 for firefighters and 122 for Police. 121 is the Civil Protection operational centre contact.

Are landmines still a risk in 2026?

Yes. The US Government’s August 2026 advisory warns of continuing mines and unexploded ordnance, including fatalities in 2025. Avoid unmarked trails and check BHMAC information.

What should I do if I find a suspected explosive object?

Do not touch it, approach for a photograph or attempt removal. Keep people away and report the safe known location to Police 122.

Can flooding make previously safe ground unsafe?

Yes. Floodwater can move explosive remnants into new areas. Treat unfamiliar objects and debris after flooding with extra caution.

What is the domestic violence support number?

1265 in the Federation and 1264 in Republika Srpska, according to current US travel advice. Call Police 122 for an ongoing assault.

Official sources and further emergency guides

Safety notice: This guide cannot dispatch responders, verify that ground is free of explosives or replace current public authority instructions. Emergency numbers and safety sources checked 7 November 2026. For immediate danger, call the appropriate local emergency service without delay.