Thousands March in Zagreb Demanding Action on Toxic Waste Crisis
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Zagreb to urge the Croatian government to address the urgent issue of over 30,000 tonnes of illegal hazardous waste. The protests were focused on the dangerous conditions at a landfill in Gospic, which contains waste from various countries.
Sources
Tens of thousands of protesters in Zagreb demanded the Croatian government take urgent action to remove over 30,000 tonnes of illegal hazardous waste, including medical and industrial materials, buried near Gospic. The protest, one of the largest in recent years, highlighted public frustration over the government's inaction and alleged corruption, prompting calls for a comprehensive cleanup plan within 20 days and waste removal within three months. Meanwhile, authorities arrested 13 individuals for their roles in importing and dumping the waste, which reportedly earned them over $4 million, while environmental assessments indicated elevated metal levels and the presence of harmful PFAS chemicals in the area.
Tens of thousands protested in Zagreb against the Croatian government for inaction regarding illegal toxic waste storage, particularly at a landfill in Gospic that holds waste from multiple countries, including 35,000 tons primarily from Italy. Demonstrators called for the removal of illegal landfills and a new waste management plan within 20 days, while also demanding a temporary ban on waste imports. An ongoing investigation has linked 13 arrests and four companies to the illegal dumping, which has reportedly profited suspects by €4 million ($4.6 million) and posed significant environmental risks.