UPDATE: In a shocking development, the Kotor Prosecutor’s Office has just announced that no one will face criminal charges in the tragic death of Tijana Radonjic, a 19-year-old who died during a parasailing accident in Budva on May 28, 2025. This decision comes nearly nine months after the incident, leaving Tijana’s family devastated and demanding accountability.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, there is insufficient evidence to support claims that the organizers or crew were responsible for any criminal wrongdoing. The decision has sparked outrage, with Tijana’s family planning to appeal, asserting that critical video evidence was ignored and key testimonies were misinterpreted.
The tragedy unfolded around 11:00 AM when Tijana participated in a promotional parasailing event organized by Jet Sky Budva. Reports indicate that she began to panic mid-flight, waving her arms and calling for help, before unbuckling her life jacket and plunging into the sea from heights estimated between 50 and 70 meters.
An autopsy revealed that her death was caused by drowning and respiratory distress from inhaling blood due to lung injuries sustained during the fall. The key piece of evidence, a 24-minute video from the parasailing camera, reportedly contradicts the Prosecutor’s findings, showing Tijana’s distress and a lack of response from the crew during a critical time.
Mirko Bogicevic, the attorney representing Tijana’s family, stated, “This footage clearly documents a prolonged period of panic and a failure to act on the part of the crew.” He emphasizes that the crew took over four minutes to notice Tijana was missing after she fell, raising serious questions about their vigilance and responsibility.
The Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the family’s claims, stating that no mechanical failure or equipment malfunction was visible in the footage, attributing the incident solely to Tijana’s actions. This conclusion has been met with skepticism, as conflicting testimonies from the crew emerged, further complicating the narrative surrounding the accident.
Adding to the controversy, expert testimony highlighted several safety violations during the parasailing operation, including a lack of proper communication equipment between the crew and the parasailer, and inadequacies in the vessel’s safety compliance.
Bogicevic warns that this decision not only impacts his client’s family but also sets a dangerous precedent for safety regulations in Montenegro’s growing adventure tourism sector. He asserts, “If this ruling stands, it sends a message that commercial activities involving high risks can operate without accountability in the event of a tragedy.”
The family is now poised to escalate their case to the High State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica. They hope for a thorough review of the evidence and a reevaluation of the circumstances surrounding Tijana’s untimely death.
As this case develops, it raises crucial questions about the standards of safety and accountability in adventure tourism, a sector vital to Montenegro’s economy. Advocates for greater regulation are calling for immediate reforms to prevent future tragedies.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation unfolds, with the family determined to seek justice for Tijana Radonjic’s tragic demise.
