Gospić waste crisis: Croatia forms Scientific Council for remediation

Gospić waste crisis illegal waste dumping Croatian government environmental pollution Scientific Council

The Croatian government has established a Scientific Council to manage the remediation of illegally dumped industrial waste in Gospić. The council is led by Stjepan Lakušić, Rector of the University of Zagreb, with Krunoslav Capak, Director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, serving as deputy chair. The multidisciplinary group will address health, environmental, and technological aspects of the site, which contains large quantities of potentially hazardous materials.

The crisis has sparked intense political debate in the Croatian Parliament. Opposition parties, including Most and Možemo!, have called for Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's resignation, accusing the government of negligence and failing to protect citizens from environmental crime. In response, Plenković has rejected calls for early elections, emphasizing government stability and stating that the remediation process is underway.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the potential export of this waste to Bosnia and Herzegovina to be used as alternative fuel in cement plants. Activists from the 'Za čist zrak' group have urged authorities in both countries to ensure that cross-border waste disposal does not compromise public health. Additionally, the government is introducing stricter penalties for waste management through new legislation to prevent future illegal dumping.

Entities

Andrej Plenković · Croatian Government · Gospić · Government of Croatia · Krunoslav Capak · Našice · Nexe · Stjepan Lakušić · University of Zagreb · Za čist zrak

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Stjepan Lakušić, Rector of the University of Zagreb, will chair the Scientific Council. glas-slavonije.hr
[● 2 SOURCES] The 'Gospić je naš dom' initiative criticized the appointment of Capak due to potential conflicts of interest.
[○ 1 SOURCE] NEXE is tasked by the Croatian government to dispose of approximately 325 tons of non-hazardous waste from Gospić. 031portal.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Prime Minister Andrej Plenković defended the credibility of the Croatian Institute of Public Health regarding the Gospić case. hrvatska-danas.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The 'Za čist zrak' group expressed concern that waste from Gospić might be imported into Bosnia and Herzegovina for use as alternative fuel. bosnainfo.ba · www.vijesti.ba · banjaluka.net · www.monitor.hr
[● 4 SOURCES] Krunoslav Capak, Director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, was appointed deputy chair of the council. glas-slavonije.hr · riportal.net.hr · www.maxportal.hr · www.monitor.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] MEP Gordan Bosanac called for an immediate halt to the export of toxic waste into Croatia at the European Parliament.
[● 3 SOURCES] The Croatian government established a Scientific Council to support the remediation of illegally dumped waste in Gospić. glas-slavonije.hr · www.maxportal.hr · www.monitor.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] Opposition members of Parliament have called for Prime Minister Andrej Plenković to resign due to the illegal waste crisis in Gospić. zadarskilist.novilist.hr · fenix-magazin.de · mozemo.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Speaker of Parliament Gordan Jandroković stated that the remediation of the contaminated area in Gospić must begin immediately. www.vecernji.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Tonči Glavinić has been appointed as the new Chief State Inspector. www.dnevno.hr
[● 2 SOURCES] The Most party is initiating a constitutional amendment to protect the right to clean and potable water in Croatia. ogportal.com