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Thousands rally demanding urgent cleanup of toxic waste from Croatian town
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Tens of thousands protested in Croatia over the failure to remove 37,000 metric tons of illegally dumped hazardous waste in Gospic, raising fears of environmental and health risks.
- The illegal waste scandal, involving arrests for illegal import and disposal, has intensified criticism of Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's government amid concerns over delayed cleanup and transparency.
- An expert report found elevated metal concentrations and harmful PFAS chemicals in the soil and groundwater, while residents demand a clear remediation plan and an immediate ban on waste imports.
- Authorities claim ongoing investigations and partial cleanup efforts, but protesters accuse officials of negligence and corruption, calling the situation a planned crime rather than an accident.
- Environmental experts warn that pollution could spread from the local karst terrain to the Adriatic Sea, intensifying concerns for the region's natural parks and water sources.
