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Zagreb hosts mass protests over illegal hazardous waste in Gospić
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Zagreb for the ‘Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia’ demonstration, organized by the ‘Gospić is Our Home’ initiative. The protest addresses the illegal dumping of approximately 37,000 tons of hazardous waste near Gospić in the Lika region.
Protesters are demanding that the Croatian government present a comprehensive remediation program within 20 days, including binding deadlines. Key demands include the removal of 33,000 tons of buried waste within three months, an immediate temporary ban on waste imports, and the inclusion of the Rakitovac landfill in the national Waste Management Plan. They also call for independent expert monitoring and risk assessments.
The demonstration received support from various public figures, including singer Severina and President Zoran Milanović. While Prime Minister Andrej Plenković pledged to clean up the area during a visit to Gospić, organizers maintain that the government has failed to act decisively against the ‘eco-mafia’ and the systemic issues regarding waste management.
Entities
Andrej Plenković · Andro Pavuna · Dalija Orešković · GI Gospić je naš dom · Gospić · Gospić je naš dom · Građanska inicijativa Gospić je naš dom · Lika · Lika-Senj County · Mato Franković · PPK Velebit · Severina
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The covering of waste with foil is planned to coincide with the ten-day waste removal timeline.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Minister Vučković stated she has no intention of resigning and maintains the support of the Prime Minister.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Waste removal in bags is scheduled to begin in ten days if no appeals are filed.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A formal procedure for addressing buried waste is expected to launch around September 25.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Analyses indicated a risk of pollution transferring from shallow seepage water to the deep aquifer.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated that covering the buried waste will be completed by mid-October. kaportal.net.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The government must present a complete remediation program within 20 days.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Rakitovac municipal landfill must be included in the waste management plan. www.vijesti.ba
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Prime Minister claims the public water supply in Gospić is completely safe for drinking. kaportal.net.hr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević confirmed that permits for the protest have been issued. www.brif.mk
- [● 13 SOURCES] The organizers demand urgent and complete remediation of contaminated locations. kaportal.net.hr · serbiantimes.info · borba.me · lavoce.hr · libertas.mk · +1 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] Organizers demand the removal of 33,000 tons of buried hazardous waste within three months. kaportal.net.hr · www.vijesti.ba · serbiantimes.info · www.dubrovniknet.hr · borba.me · +7 more