Mostar stabilizes waste removal after Ubork landfill fire

A fire broke out at the Ubork solid‑waste dump on the outskirts of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, prompting evacuation orders and raising concerns about air quality. Mayor Mario Kordić announced that the blaze has been contained with sand and that the emergency evacuation order has been lifted.

From Friday onward the city resumed waste collection, redirecting trucks to four new transfer sites – two recycling yards in the north and south, a third site at the main dump and a fourth at Vrapčići. About 120 tonnes of mixed municipal waste are generated daily, and roughly 500 tonnes accumulated over the four‑day disruption. Authorities aim to restore a regular “daily rhythm” for waste handling.

The incident affected tourism, with local operators reporting a drop in visitor numbers due to smoke and images of the burning dump. Health officials warned residents to increase food‑hygiene measures, urging thorough washing of fruit and vegetables grown near the site because open‑burning can release dioxins and other pollutants that may enter the food chain.

Overall, the situation in Mostar is now described as stable, with waste removal back in operation, fire suppression completed, and health advisories in place.