Gospić environmental crisis triggers Croatian political turmoil FAST-MOVING
An environmental crisis in Gospić, Lika, has escalated into a major political conflict in Croatia. Investigations by USKOK and expert findings have revealed the illegal disposal of approximately 37,000 tons of mixed technogenic waste, including hazardous and ecotoxic materials, at the former PPK Velebit site. Soil analysis shows high concentrations of heavy metals, and experts have identified a likely migration of PFAS (forever chemicals) into the groundwater, threatening the local ecosystem and food chain.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has convened emergency meetings with ruling coalition leaders to address the situation and coordinate remediation efforts through the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund. However, the government faces intense political pressure. The opposition party SDP has announced plans to initiate a procedure to dismiss the government, while the Most party is seeking a vote of no confidence and an extraordinary session of the Croatian Parliament.
Local officials, including Gospić Mayor Darko Milinović, have characterized the incident as an 'ecocide' and have called for the state to treat it as a terrorist act to ensure full accountability. The crisis has drawn condemnation from President Zoran Milanović and has prompted calls for immediate, large-scale remediation to prevent further contamination of water and soil.
Entities
Andrej Plenković · Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund · Gospić · Ivan Penava · Luka Balen · Most · Nikola Grmoja · USKOK · Zoran Milanović
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The SDP party has announced plans to initiate a procedure to dismiss the government. nin.rs
- [● 5 SOURCES] The site contains high concentrations of heavy metals and PFAS (forever chemicals) in the soil. h-alter.org · nin.rs · www.tportal.hr · riportal.net.hr
- [● 4 SOURCES] The landfill is a likely source of PFAS migration into the groundwater. h-alter.org · nin.rs · riportal.net.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] USKOK is investigating the illegal disposal of waste at the former PPK Velebit site in Gospić. nin.rs · www.zagorje.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Most party is initiating a procedure for a vote of no confidence in the government. narod.hr · www.zagreb.info · www.dnevno.hr · n1info.hr · riportal.net.hr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Expert findings indicate approximately 37,000 tons of mixed technogenic waste are located at the site. h-alter.org · nin.rs · riportal.net.hr
- [● 7 SOURCES] Prime Minister Andrej Plenković convened an emergency meeting of the ruling coalition leaders. narod.hr · nin.rs · www.tportal.hr · www.zagreb.info · www.zagorje.com · +1 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund is preparing a procurement process for site remediation. www.24sata.hr