Gostivar water contamination scandal prompts calls for ministerial resignations

A water contamination incident in the Macedonian town of Gostivar has sickened thousands of residents. Tests revealed coliform bacteria in the supply, and the health ministry was accused of declaring the water safe while the outbreak spread. SDSM president Venkо Filipče demanded political and criminal responsibility, calling for the resignation of the health minister, the director of the Institute of Public Health and other officials. He also urged an extraordinary audit of all water‑supply systems and public disclosure of test results.

The scandal was linked to similar problems in Valandovo and at the Leshok pulmonary hospital, where 51 coliform bacteria per 100 ml were found. The government’s crisis team dispatched about 200,000 L of bottled water and over 100 t of technical water using tankers from multiple municipalities and the army. Health minister Sashо Klekovski said the situation in Gostivar has stabilised, with no new hospitalisations, but warned citizens to continue precautions until water repairs are completed.

The Agency for Food and Veterinary imposed dozens of fines and work bans on businesses affected by the contamination, while opposition parties exchanged accusations over responsibility and response measures.