{
  "id": 5864101,
  "title": "Tens of thousands of Croatians protest over hazardous waste",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/tens-of-thousands-of-croatians-protest-over-hazardous-waste-5864101",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T23:32:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/09/1526542/tens-thousands-croatians-protest-over-hazardous-waste"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Zagreb, Croatia hosted a massive protest on Saturday as citizens demanded urgent action to address a hazardous waste crisis. An estimated 35,000 tonnes of toxic waste, comprising electronic and medical materials, were illegally dumped in the Lika region, a region famed for its unspoiled nature, national parks, and the longest mountain range. Authorities are probing ten individuals and four companies for their involvement in the illicit dumping, which they believe originated from Slovenia, Italy, and Germany. Soil contamination in the nearby town of Gospic has been confirmed, posing a severe threat to the environment and public health, though the tap water remains deemed safe by health officials. The \"Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia\" march, supported by President Zoran Milanovic, the opposition, and numerous public figures, drew tens of thousands of protestors to the capital. They demanded a comprehensive cleanup plan within 20 days, complete removal within three months, and accountability for those responsible. One protester, mother of three Katarina Kenda, emphasized the urgency, saying \"I want a beautiful, clean and healthy Croatia for my children.\"",
  "summary": "ZAGREB: Tens of thousands of people rallied in Zagreb on Saturday seeking the immediate cleanup of thousands of tonnes of illegally dumped hazardous waste in one of Croatia’s most pristine areas.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Tens of thousands of Croatians protest over hazardous waste",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/tens-of-thousands-of-croatians-protest-over-hazardous-waste",
        "published": "2026-09-05T22:02:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Watch: Tens of thousands at Selichot prayers at Western Wall",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/watch-tens-of-thousands-at-selichot-prayers-at-western-wall",
        "published": "2026-09-06T00:43:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}