Tens of Thousands in Croatia Protest Over Toxic Waste Dump
Croatians protest in Zagreb, demanding cleanup of 37,000 tonnes of toxic waste in Gospic, fearing health and environmental risks.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Zagreb on Saturday to demand immediate action over a massive illegal hazardous waste dump in the central town of Gospic. The protest, organized by the local initiative "Gospic Is Our Home," reflects growing public anger over the government's failure to clear the site for more than a year.
The waste, estimated at 37,000 metric tons, is buried at an abandoned industrial site and includes electronic waste, plastics, construction debris, and medical waste. Residents fear contamination of soil and groundwater, with an expert report by Croatia's anti-corruption agency USKOK detecting elevated metal levels and PFAS "forever chemicals" in groundwater.
The scandal emerged in February last year when police and Europol arrested 13 people suspected of illegally importing and disposing of hazardous waste, allegedly making at least 4 million euros in profit. Much of the waste reportedly came from Italy, Slovenia, and Germany.
Protesters demand a clear, time-bound remediation plan and an immediate ban on waste imports. "Not a single kilogram of hazardous waste has been removed from Gospic," said Vjekoslav Busic of the organizing initiative. Another protester, Ivan Rittinger, called the situation "a crime," not a tragedy, alleging that "someone was paid to look the other way."
Authorities say investigations are ongoing and that water and soil tests have shown no contamination. They plan to temporarily cover the site and have selected a company to begin clearing waste. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has accused political opponents of exploiting the issue for gain.
Experts warn that the region's karst terrain and rivers could carry pollution toward the Adriatic Sea. Gospic, with about 12,000 residents, lies near a nature park known for its forests and waterways. Protesters in Zagreb carried banners reading "When if not now" and "The lungs of Croatia have trouble breathing," with one resident stating, "It's a basic human right to have clean soil, clean water and clean air."