Heavy congestion gripped the Bajakovo-Batrovci border crossing between Croatia and Serbia on Saturday, with motorists enduring extended delays during peak summer holiday travel. Vehicles heading from Croatia into Serbia experienced queues stretching up to seven kilometers, resulting in wait times reaching eight hours. Ambient temperatures exceeded 95 degrees Fahrenheit, adding to travelers’ discomfort as they remained stationary in traffic.
The gridlock affected traffic in both directions, with holidaymakers traveling from Serbia into Croatia, a frequently visited tourist destination, also encountering significant delays. The congestion had already gripped the crossing on Friday, with multiple travelers reporting exhaustion after prolonged waits. According to travelers interviewed at the scene, the experience tested patience and physical endurance, with some expressing frustration at the unexpected duration of delays.
The bottleneck coincided with peak travel periods typical for the Croatia-Serbia border, with traffic traditionally surging during holiday weekends. The crossing between European Union member Croatia and non-EU member Serbia typically experiences its highest volumes during summer travel season. The implementation of the European Union’s Entry-Exit System, a biometric screening mechanism designed to replace traditional passport stamping, has been in use since April. While the EES system has been temporarily suspended in certain jurisdictions to expedite processing of non-EU travelers, officials did not confirm whether the new screening system contributed to the extended queues experienced on Saturday.
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