Tens of thousands rally in Zagreb over Croatia waste cleanup delays

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered in Croatia on Saturday, demanding that officials swiftly clean up a large quantity of illegally dumped hazardous waste that has created concerns over significant environmental harm. The protest in the central town of Gospic was fueled by frustration that authorities have not cleared the waste, which has been sitting at an abandoned industrial site for months, threatening the well-being of the community.

The controversial waste scandal in Gospic emerged in February when Croatian police and Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency, arrested 13 individuals suspected of importing and disposing of hazardous waste illegally, allegedly making at least 4 million euros ($4.2 million) in illicit profits. More than a year later, residents remain worried that about 37,000 metric tons (40,000 U.S. tons) of waste, primarily buried underground, could be endangering their health.

This waste comprises electronic equipment remnants, plastics, construction materials, and medical waste.

An expert report released last month by the Croatian anti-corruption agency USKOK revealed that the soil at the site had high metal concentrations and that PFAS compounds, known as "forever chemicals," have also been detected in the groundwater. The protest called for authorities to provide a clear plan for promptly and completely decontaminating the polluted sites, adhering to clearly defined timelines. Protesters also demanded an immediate ban on waste imports.

Vjekoslav Busic, from the "Gospic Is Our Home" campaign leading the protest, stated that residents had been reporting suspected illegal activity since 2023, but no hazardous waste had been removed from Gospic. Ivan Rittinger, another protester, accused authorities of downplaying the issue as a mere tragedy, alleging that someone profited from it and others were paid to turn a blind eye.

He emphasized that "it was planned," not an accident. USKOK stated that it is currently investigating a Croatian company suspected of burying illegal toxic waste in several locations across the country, with the largest discovered in Gospic. The government claims the investigation is ongoing, alongside efforts to clear the area.

Authorities have also said that multiple water and soil tests in Gospic have shown negative results for contamination. A temporary covering will be placed over the site to shield it from rainwater, and one company has been selected to clear some of the waste while a long-term plan is being developed. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has blamed his political opponents for creating panic for political benefit.

While experts agree that the damage is local, they warn that the region's karst terrain, loose soil, and rivers could carry pollution from the site toward the Adriatic Sea.

Gospic, a town of approximately 12,000 residents situated near a nature park and known for its forests, lakes, and rivers, is located in a region close to a nature park. Protesting at the main square in Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, demonstrators chanted "Croatia, Croatia," holding national flags and banners reading "When if not now" and "The lungs of Croatia have trouble breathing."

Gospic resident Zeljka Sikic thanked the crowd for "coming out publicly, because it takes courage nowadays," stating that they have been "handed over to eco-mafia." Suzane Maria Flander, a protester from Zagreb, emphasized that "it’s a basic human right to have clean soil, clean water and clean air."