Mostar landfill blaze prompts evacuations and sabotage claim

A large fire broke out at the Uborak waste landfill on the outskirts of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on 25‑26 June 2026. The blaze spread to a nearby stockpile of discarded car tyres, producing dense, toxic smoke that enveloped the city. Air‑quality monitors recorded an AQI of about 160–210, classified as unhealthy. Residents of adjacent neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate and were temporarily housed in a shelter in the Salakovići district.

Mayor Mario Kordić publicly accused the fire of being deliberately set, calling it “an act of terrorism” and urging the police, prosecutor’s office and other investigative bodies to identify those responsible. Firefighters from the Professional Fire Brigade of Mostar worked continuously for more than 24 hours, eventually localising and containing the blaze. The civil‑defence authority reiterated health precautions, advising vulnerable groups to remain indoors and follow official guidance. The incident highlights longstanding waste‑management problems in Mostar, including a blocked transfer point for about 120 tonnes of mixed municipal waste and escalating costs for alternative disposal routes.

Authorities have launched a formal investigation into possible arson while also planning stricter monitoring of the landfill and related facilities.