An emergency is easier to manage when the first call and the first sentence are already known. Save Bosnia and Herzegovina's main numbers, keep the accommodation address offline and make sure more than one person in the group can access passports, insurance details and emergency contacts.
Main emergency numbers
| Service | Number | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 122 | Crime, immediate danger, serious road incidents and missing persons |
| Fire service | 123 | Fire, smoke, rescue situations and immediate fire risk |
| Emergency medical assistance | 124 | Serious illness, injury or urgent ambulance need |
These are short local numbers. A foreign SIM, roaming setting or internet calling service can behave differently, so test that the phone can make ordinary voice calls after arrival.
Safari Bosna tip — Save the location, not only the numbers
An operator cannot send help to “a waterfall near Jajce.” Keep the attraction name, municipality, road, trail or map pin available offline and note the last clear landmark.
What to say first
Stay on the line and answer the operator's questions. Begin with:
- which service is needed;
- what happened;
- the exact location and municipality;
- how many people are affected;
- any immediate danger;
- the telephone number from which you are calling.
Use short sentences. If language becomes a barrier, ask a guide, hotel employee, restaurant worker or nearby resident to assist. Do not end the call merely because the first explanation was difficult.
Medical emergency
Call 124 for an urgent ambulance need. Give known allergies, medical conditions and medication only when the operator or clinician asks, and do not offer food or medicine to an unconscious or seriously injured person.
After help is moving, contact the travel insurer or medical-assistance company. Keep the policy number, provider number and emergency-contact consent available. The healthcare and insurance guide explains preparation in more detail.
Police incident
Call 122 when there is immediate danger, a crime in progress, a serious traffic incident or a missing vulnerable person. Preserve evidence without putting anyone at risk. Ask how to obtain the official report or reference required by an embassy, bank, rental company or insurer.
For a lost passport, report the loss promptly and then contact the traveller's embassy or responsible consulate. A photocopy does not replace the document, but a secure digital copy can help establish its details.
Fire or smoke
Call 123, leave the dangerous area and follow evacuation instructions. Do not return for luggage. In villas and cabins, identify the exit, property address and heating arrangement on arrival rather than during an alarm.
Road incident
Protect people before vehicles or photographs. Warn approaching traffic only if it can be done safely and follow the police operator's directions about moving vehicles.
Then:
- contact the rental or transport company;
- notify the insurer within its required time;
- record vehicle details and the scene when safe;
- retain police, medical, towing and repair documents;
- do not sign a statement you do not understand.
The driving guide owns road rules; this chapter covers the response.
Mountain, river and remote incidents
Do not assume ordinary road access reaches the casualty. Tell the operator whether the group is on a marked trail, river, ski area, forest road or village track. Share coordinates as additional information, not as a substitute for a place name and approach route.
Before remote days, tell a reliable person the route and expected return. Use a qualified operator for activities requiring specialist rescue planning. The remote-destination transport guide helps reduce access failures.
A missing child or vulnerable adult
Notify police immediately rather than conducting a long private search first. Provide a recent photograph, clothing, medical or communication needs, the last confirmed location and who is already searching. Keep one responsible adult at that location unless police direct otherwise.
Consular help
An embassy or consulate may help with emergency travel documents, contact with relatives or information about local procedures. It does not replace police, medical services, insurers or courts and normally cannot pay private bills.
Before departure, save the correct mission for the traveller's nationality. Some countries cover Bosnia and Herzegovina from an embassy outside the country.
Prepare a small emergency record
Keep an offline note containing:
- passport and insurance details;
- medical conditions, allergies and medication;
- emergency contact and consent information;
- accommodation names and addresses;
- vehicle registration and rental contact;
- embassy or consular contact;
- the main emergency numbers.
Store it securely. Share only what the responding service needs.
Frequently asked questions
What are Bosnia's emergency numbers?
Police is 122, fire service 123 and emergency medical assistance 124.
Should I rely on 112?
No. Keep the three service-specific numbers unless current local guidance says otherwise.
Is English guaranteed?
No. Give the service, municipality, location and telephone number slowly and seek local help.
What happens after a road incident?
Protect people, follow police instructions, then contact the provider and insurer and retain documents.
What if a passport disappears?
Report it to police and contact the responsible embassy or consulate.
When should I call the insurer?
As soon as immediate safety and treatment allow.
Put support behind the route
Compare practical accommodation, browse supported Bosnia tours, review transportation guidance, or use the travel planner to explain medical, mobility and communication needs before the journey.