Gospić illegal waste site found contaminating groundwater with PFAS and heavy metals

illegal waste disposal PFAS contamination Gospić environmental scandal USKOK investigation groundwater pollution

An investigation by USKOK and the Geotechnical Faculty of the University of Zagreb has confirmed significant environmental contamination at an illegal waste site in Gospić, Croatia. Approximately 37,000 tonnes of mixed waste, including medical and electronic waste, are located at the PPK Velebit site on Bilajska Street 50.

Expert analyses found high concentrations of hazardous and ecotoxic materials, such as copper, lead, zinc, and antimony, in the soil and waste samples. Crucially, PFAS 'forever chemicals' were detected in the groundwater downstream from the site, exceeding safety thresholds.

Investigators have linked entrepreneur Josip Šincek and his associates to the illegal disposal of these materials, which reportedly arrived from countries including Italy, Slovenia, and Germany. The case has prompted widespread political outcry, with officials calling for immediate remediation and accountability for both private actors and state oversight bodies.

Environment Minister Marija Vučković stated that Croatia currently lacks the necessary hazardous waste landfills and energy plants to process such waste. Consequently, the Ministry is conducting public procurement processes and has sent inquiries to 62 locations across Europe, including 32 incinerators and 30 hazardous waste landfills, to find a solution for the waste's disposal and remediation.

Entities

Andrej Plenković · Andrija Mikulić · Davor Božinović · Gospić · Josip Šincek · Lika · Marija Vučković · Marin Miletić · Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition · Most · Nikola Grmoja · Republic of Croatia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Waste includes hazardous and ecotoxic materials with elevated copper, zinc, lead and antimony levels. www.telegram.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] The waste includes hazardous and ecotoxic materials with elevated copper, zinc, lead and antimony levels. www.tportal.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] Four remediation options are being considered: encapsulation (2‑3 million EUR), full removal (20‑25 million EUR), incineration (100‑125 million EUR), and solidification (10‑15 million EUR).
[● 9 SOURCES] USKOK published an expert report confirming an illegal waste dump at Bilajska 50 in Gospić contaminating soil and groundwater. www.tportal.hr · www.telegram.hr · teleskop.hr
[● 2 SOURCES] Citizen initiative “Gospić je naš dom” demanded immediate remediation, permanent monitoring of water and soil, and resignations of responsible officials. www.tportal.hr
[DISPUTED] PFAS compounds were detected in downstream groundwater at concentrations up to 200.5 ng/L, exceeding the EU drinking‑water limit of 100 ng/L. www.telegram.hr · www.tportal.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] Political party Most and MP Zvonimir Troskot called for an emergency ecological crisis declaration and criminal prosecution of all parties involved. www.24sata.hr
[● 6 SOURCES] Environment Minister Marija Vučković stated that two public procurement processes for waste disposal are currently underway. hrvatska-danas.com · prigorski.hr · www.dnevno.hr · www.glasistre.hr
[● 4 SOURCES] Approximately 37 000 tonnes of mixed technogenic waste are present at the Gospić site. www.telegram.hr · www.tportal.hr
[● 6 SOURCES] Approximately 37,000 tons of mixed waste are located at the PPK Velebit site in Gospić. teleskop.hr · www.24sata.hr · www.index.hr · www.vecernji.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Darko Milinović, Mayor of Gospić, threatened protests in Zagreb if remediation does not accelerate.
[● 4 SOURCES] PFAS compounds, known as 'forever chemicals,' were detected in groundwater downstream from the landfill. teleskop.hr · likaclub.net.hr · www.jutarnji.hr · glas-slavonije.hr