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5 Shocking Details Of The 19-Year-Old Parasailing Death That Rocked Budva, Montenegro

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The tragic death of 19-year-old Serbian model and social media influencer Tijana Radonjic continues to generate global headlines, even months after the incident. Occurring on May 28, 2025, during a promotional watersports shoot in the tourist hotspot of Budva, Montenegro, the case presents a unique and horrifying mystery: why did the young woman unbuckle her safety harness mid-flight? The official investigation remains open as of December 19, 2025, highlighting critical, often-overlooked dangers in extreme recreational activities.

This article provides the most current and comprehensive update on the fatal fall that saw Radonjic plunge approximately 164 feet (50 meters) into the Adriatic Sea. We delve into the victim's profile, the shocking circumstances of the accident, the technical safety entities involved, and the status of the ongoing legal inquiry into the local watersports company.

The Tragic Profile of Tijana Radonjic

Tijana Radonjic was an emerging figure in the Serbian fashion and social media landscape, known for her engaging content and vibrant personality. Her sudden death cut short a promising career and deeply affected her community in Serbia.

  • Full Name: Tijana Radonjic
  • Age at Death: 19 years old
  • Nationality: Serbian
  • Hometown: Novi Sad, Serbia
  • Occupation: Model and Social Media Influencer
  • Date of Incident: May 28, 2025
  • Location: Budva, Montenegro (Adriatic Sea)
  • Family: Her parents, including her mother Branka, were reported to be devastated.
  • Context of Flight: She was participating in a promotional video shoot for a local watersports company.

Radonjic was on vacation in Budva, a popular coastal town, when she agreed to the parasailing excursion. Her extensive social media presence amplified the shockwaves of the tragedy across international platforms, turning a local accident into a worldwide cautionary tale about extreme sports safety.

The 164-Foot Fall: Unraveling the Incident's Shocking Details

The circumstances surrounding Tijana Radonjic’s final moments are both perplexing and deeply disturbing, forming the core of the ongoing investigation. Eyewitness accounts and video footage suggest a sequence of events that deviates sharply from typical parasailing accidents, which usually involve equipment failure or severe weather.

The Critical Act: Unbuckling the Harness

The most crucial detail is the report that Tijana unbuckled her own safety harness while high above the Adriatic Sea. Witnesses observed her frantically attempting to remove her harness and lifejacket before falling. This action has led investigators and media to consider several theories:

  • Panic Attack: One leading theory suggests she suffered a severe panic attack or a bout of acrophobia (fear of heights) that overwhelmed her judgment. Being suspended 164 feet in the air can have a profound psychological impact on individuals, leading to irrational behavior.
  • Harness Adjustment: Another possibility is that the harness was improperly fitted or became uncomfortable, leading her to attempt an adjustment mid-flight, accidentally releasing the primary safety mechanism. Standard parasail harnesses are designed to be secure and tamper-proof during flight.
  • Unconfirmed Suicide: Due to the nature of the fall, some early reports speculated on suicide, though this has not been confirmed by Montenegrin authorities, who are treating it as a tragic accident while the investigation is underway.

The fall itself—a plunge of approximately 50 meters—resulted in immediate and fatal impact injuries upon hitting the water, a stark reminder of the forces involved in such a catastrophic event.

Parasailing Safety Protocols and the Ongoing Investigation

The incident has intensified scrutiny on the safety standards and operational procedures of watersports companies in popular tourist destinations like Budva. The case highlights the critical importance of adhering to stringent parasailing safety protocols and using certified safety equipment.

Investigation Status and Legal Fallout

As of the most recent updates, the investigation by Montenegrin authorities is ongoing. The focus is on the operational procedures of the local watersports company involved. Key areas of inquiry include:

  • Pre-Flight Briefing: Whether Tijana received a thorough and clear safety briefing on the harness mechanism and emergency procedures.
  • Equipment Check: The condition and certification of the parasail equipment, including the tow lines, the parachute, and the harness itself, which should meet international standards like those set by the ASTM Standard Practices.
  • Operator Negligence: Whether the boat operator, identified as Mirko Krdzic (the company owner), or his crew, failed to notice or react quickly enough to Tijana’s distress signals.

The Radonjic family has retained a legal representative, indicating a potential civil lawsuit against the company. The final ruling from the Montenegro prosecutor’s office will be pivotal in determining the legal responsibility for the tragic outcome.

The Importance of Technical Safety Entities

For a parasailing operation to be considered safe, multiple technical entities must be in perfect working order. The tragic nature of Tijana's death, which involved a conscious unbuckling, forces a look at the psychological preparedness of participants as well as the equipment:

  • Harness Systems: Must be double-locked and designed to prevent accidental release.
  • Wind Meter: Operators must strictly adhere to wind speed limits, using a wind meter to ensure safe operating conditions.
  • Rescue Equipment: The boat must be equipped with a rectangular rescue tube and have a clear rescue protocol for retrieving a passenger from the water.

The devastating incident serves as a powerful, albeit tragic, reminder that while equipment failure is a risk, the human element—especially panic at extreme height—is a significant and often underestimated factor in adventure sports. It urges all operators and participants to take pre-flight checks and psychological readiness seriously before taking to the skies.

5 Shocking Details of the 19-Year-Old Parasailing Death That Rocked Budva, Montenegro
19 year old parasailing death
19 year old parasailing death

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