Croatia’s Draganić Forest Site Reveals 40 Tons of Hazardous Waste Barrels

Police and the State Inspectorate discovered 270 discarded 120‑liter barrels in a forest near Draganić, Karlovac County, after a resident reported the find. The barrels, each weighing about 150 kg, contain roughly 40 tons of sludge created from paint and lacquer, posing a risk of soil and groundwater contamination near a nearby watercourse.

Firefighters opened some barrels while authorities began removing all containers and collecting samples for laboratory analysis. An investigation is underway to determine when and by whom the waste was dumped, with officials warning that responsible parties could face criminal charges for endangering the environment.