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34 clusters · 201 sources · 137 days · First seen · Last updated

Groundwater contamination worsens Gospić waste crisis

Overview

The hazardous waste crisis in Croatia has intensified following reports that illegal dumping has severely contaminated the Lika region’s groundwater. While initial assessments in March 2026 suggested low risks, a July 2026 report from the Faculty of Geotechnics in Zagreb confirmed the presence of microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or ‘forever chemicals.’ Testing revealed that concentrations of these substances at exit points were double the limit for drinking water, indicating that waste is penetrating underground karst systems.

Public anger has been fueled by the delayed release of these findings. Although the Institute for Waters ‘Josip Juraj Štrosmajer’ completed its report on August 7, it was not made public by USKOK until a month later, following mass protests. This delay, combined with the government’s initial characterization of the risks as ‘political hysteria,’ has contributed to declining approval ratings for Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and the ruling HDZ party.

In September 2026, USKOK investigations confirmed significant contamination in both Gospić and Benkovac. In Benkovac’s Kukalj site, experts identified over 6,400 tons of heterogeneous waste, including metals and antimony. While the government maintains that public drinking water remains safe because contamination was detected in local piezometers rather than the public supply, new reports indicate that PFAS and heavy metals have been detected in wells in the Krpani settlement near Gospić.

Local residents and farmers fear the pollution may spread through the Novčica, Lika, and Gacka river systems. This has created economic uncertainty for local producers regarding the safety of their livestock and crops. Remediation in Gospić is expected to begin with the removal of approximately 650 tons of non-hazardous waste, while legal proceedings against responsible parties continue.

Entities

Gospić · Lika · Andrej Plenković · USKOK · Zoran Milanović

Claims

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

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

  • "HZJZ reported that PFAS levels in water samples were below the limit of quantification."

    vs

    "HZJZ measurements indicate there is no threat to drinking water in Lika."

    While both attribute claims to HZJZ, one asserts there is no threat to drinking water while the other asserts PFAS levels were below the limit of quantification (which implies no detectable threat, so

  • "PFAS compounds were detected in downstream groundwater at concentrations up to 200.5 ng/L, exceeding the EU drinking‑water limit of 100 ng/L."

    vs

    "HZJZ measurements indicate there is no threat to drinking water in Lika."

    HZJZ claims there is no threat to drinking water in Lika, whereas the USKOK report claims PFAS concentrations in downstream groundwater exceed EU drinking water limits.

Timeline

  1. 5 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Krpani wells contaminated with PFAS and heavy metals

    PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ and heavy metals have been discovered in wells near Gospić, Croatia, sparking fears over groundwater contamination, public health, and the future of local agriculture.

  2. 17 days ago

    [CRIME] 24 sources
    Croatia environmental crisis: Illegal waste contaminates groundwater in Gospić and Benkovac

    USKOK investigations confirm groundwater contamination from illegal waste in Gospić and Benkovac, revealing the presence of PFAS, microplastics, and heavy metals. Remediation efforts are being planned.

  3. 19 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 45 sources
    Gospić waste scandal sparks mass protests in Croatia

    Tens of thousands protested in Zagreb against the illegal dumping of up to 37,000 tons of hazardous waste near Gospić, demanding urgent remediation and government accountability.

  4. 19 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Protesters gather in Zagreb for ‘Walk for Lika’ demonstration

    Protesters gathered in Zagreb for the ‘Walk for Lika, walk for Croatia’ demonstration, citing concerns over water quality and environmental health for future generations.

  5. 21 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 103 sources
    Zagreb hosts mass protests over illegal hazardous waste in Gospić

    Tens of thousands protested in Zagreb against the illegal dumping of 37,000 tons of hazardous waste near Gospić, demanding immediate cleanup and a ban on waste imports.

  6. 27 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
    Balkan environmental crises: Zeta River pollution and hazardous waste discoveries

    Environmental crises emerge in the Balkans as Montenegrin citizens protest Zeta River pollution, while Croatian authorities address the fallout from a multi-national waste mafia and confirm Zadar's water safety

  7. 29 days ago

    [POLITICS] 11 sources
    Lika environmental protest scheduled for September 5 in Zagreb

    Citizens and over 200 public figures are organizing a major protest in Zagreb on September 5 to demand accountability for illegal hazardous waste disposal in Lika and to oppose industrial megafarms.

  8. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 13 sources
    Gospić waste scandal: MP demands probe into 580,000 euro financial flows

    MP Zvonimir Troskot demands a financial investigation into nearly 580,000 euros linked to a massive illegal waste scandal in Gospić, involving discrepancies in cross-border waste data.

  9. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 6 sources
    Croatia drinking water safety confirmed in Gospić, Otočac, and Senju

    Drinking water in Gospić, Otočac, and Senju is confirmed safe with no elevated PFAS detected, though national water monitoring faces funding shortages in several Croatian counties.

  10. about 1 month ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 10 sources
    Environmental and political disputes arise across Croatia and Serbia

    Environmental and political disputes emerge in Croatia over water quality in Dubrovnik and illegal waste in Ogulin, while Serbian authorities face calls to investigate potential unregistered lobbying.

  11. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 9 sources
    Croatia waste disposal investigations sought in Zadar and Polača

    Croatian officials are demanding investigations into alleged large-scale illegal waste disposal at the Diklo site in Zadar and the Gornja Jagodnja landfill in Polača.

  12. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    PFAS levels detected in Gospić water source

    PFAS levels near Gospić, Croatia, were measured at 5.2% of the allowable limit. Meanwhile, EU officials are reviewing the case as blood tests for local residents await results in Brussels.

  13. about 1 month ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 59 sources
    Gospić environmental crisis: 37,000 tons of hazardous waste discovered

    Authorities are investigating the illegal disposal of 37,000 tons of hazardous waste in Gospić, Croatia. While officials claim drinking water remains safe, residents express concern over PFAS contamination.

  14. about 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 38 sources
    Gospić hazardous waste scandal triggers political crisis in Croatia

    A major environmental crisis in Gospić involving illegal hazardous waste dumping has sparked calls for the Croatian government's resignation and new legislation to criminalize ecocide.

  15. about 2 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 25 sources
    Gospić illegal waste site found contaminating groundwater with PFAS and heavy metals

    USKOK confirmed massive illegal waste dumping in Gospić, Croatia, contaminating groundwater with PFAS and heavy metals. Authorities are seeking European facilities to help remediate the 37,000 tonnes of toxic-l

  16. 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Croatia halts illegal waste dumping in Mičevec and Lički Osik

    Croatian inspectors stopped illegal construction waste dumping in Mičevec and investigated hazardous waste alleged in Lički Osik, including PFAS and cyanide, prompting calls for cleanup and possible criminal on

  17. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Czech courts review hazardous‑waste incinerator and wind‑farm disputes

    Czech courts are reviewing two environmental disputes: the Supreme Administrative Court will hear AVE CZ’s appeal over a halted hazardous‑waste incinerator in Rybitví, while the Constitutional Court has undone

  18. 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Croatia reports low microplastic levels in drinking water and links to heart attacks

    Croatia's water monitoring shows low microplastic levels, while a study links blood microplastics to heart attacks in most patients.

  19. 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Reusable plastic bottles and shopping bags can harbor bacteria, experts warn in Croatia

    Experts warn that reusing PET water bottles and unwashed shopping bags can spread harmful bacteria; regular washing and proper reusable containers are advised.

  20. 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 6 sources
    Croatia Reports Low Microplastic Levels in Drinking Water

    Croatia’s Institute for Water reports an average of 0.144 microplastic particles per litre in drinking water, a level comparable to or lower than European averages, and notes a 94.7% reduction during treatment.

  21. 3 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Czech Opatovice Power Plant Secures Permit for Waste‑to‑Energy Facility

    Czech authorities have granted the Opatovice power plant final permits for a CZK 7 bn waste‑to‑energy plant at Čeperka, slated for 2029‑30, funded 60 % by the Modernisation Fund and opposed by local referendums

  22. 3 months ago

    [HEALTH] 4 sources
    Croatia confronts dangerous gas leaks and growing plastic waste

    Greenpeace finds high methane and toxic gas levels near Croatian gas sites, urging stricter EU rules, while a fish in the Adriatic was found with a plastic bottle, underscoring Croatia’s plastic waste problem.

  23. 3 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Croatia’s Draganić Forest Site Reveals 40 Tons of Hazardous Waste Barrels

    Hundreds of barrels with paint‑lacquer sludge, totalling about 40 tons, were found in a Draganić forest, prompting police and inspectors to remove them and investigate the illegal dumping.

  24. 3 months ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Bosnia and Croatia waste incidents raise food safety and environmental health alerts

    Fire at Bosnia’s Uborak dump and mysterious barrels near Karlovac, Croatia, trigger food‑safety and environmental warnings over possible contamination.

  25. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Czech municipalities dispute waste incinerator projects

    Litvínov rejects a hazardous‑waste incinerator while Prague invests 850 million CZK to modernise its ZEVO plant, highlighting Czech debates over waste‑management policies.

  26. 3 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Litter Accumulation Plagues Široki Brijeg and Poklonci Recreation Areas

    Street waste in Široki Brijeg and litter on Montenegro’s Poklonci lakeside reveal persistent Balkan waste‑management problems and calls for stronger enforcement.

  27. 3 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Mario Crnković vows to block nuclear waste depot on Bosnia‑Croatia border

    Mario Crnković will join a Zagreb round‑table to oppose a proposed nuclear‑waste site at Trgovska Gora on the Bosnia‑Croatia border, citing legal, environmental and health concerns.

  28. 3 months ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Balkans waste sites spark health alerts in Bosnia and Montenegro

    Waste sites in Vrapčići (Bosnia) and Zeta (Montenegro) raise health concerns, prompting inspections, remediation plans and debated government funding.

  29. 3 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Hazardous‑waste incinerator plan near Litvínov, Czech Republic

    A hazardous‑waste incinerator plan near Litvínov, Czech Republic, proposes a 50k‑tonne/year plant to power‑generate from waste, with public comment open until 8 July; former rail chief Petr Žaluda is linked to

  30. 4 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Bosnia‑Herzegovina challenges Croatia over planned radioactive waste storage at Trgovska Gora

    Bosnia‑Herzegovina files legal challenges to stop Croatia’s planned radioactive waste storage at Trgovska Gora, citing risks to 250,000 residents and seeking a temporary halt via the ESPO Committee.

  31. 4 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Czech towns weigh waste disposal sites and heat‑network plans

    Strakonice explores post‑2030 waste options, including a new landfill, while Czech experts discuss municipal heat networks as a path to low‑emission heating.

  32. 4 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Ljubljana waste incinerator plan sparks health and environmental controversy

    Ljubljana's proposed €430 million waste incinerator faces opposition over health risks, lack of impact studies, and concerns it may lock the city into a costly, polluting energy system.

  33. 4 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 5 sources
    Bosnia‑Herzegovina challenges Croatia over Trgovska Gora radioactive waste storage at Geneva hearing

    Bosnia‑Herzegovina contests Croatia’s plan to store radioactive waste on Trgovska Gora, bringing the dispute before the Espoo Committee in Geneva.

  34. 5 months ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Croatia faces mounting waste problems in Pula and Karlovac‑Lika regions

    Waste piles block Pula streets while hazardous waste and polluted water plague Karlovac and Lika.

Sources

023.hr · 072info.com · 192.com · 24sata.hr · 24ur.com · 6yka.com · a1on.mk · abcnews.al · agronews.rs · aktuelno.me · antenazadar.hr · antiguatribune.com · autograf.hr · bedaromano.blog.ilsole24ore.com · bigportal.ba · biznis.me · bl-portal.com · bloomsbergHT.com · bne.eu · bokanews.me · borba.me · bosnainfo.ba · breitbart.com · brif.mk · bursahakimiyet.com.tr · capital.ba · cineplex.com.br · croatiansonline.com · dalmacijadanas.hr · dalmacijanews.hr · dalmatinskiportal.hr · dan.co.me · danas.rs · dancersglobal.com · delo.si · depo.ba · dnevnik.ba · dnevno.hr · dubrovackidnevnik.net.hr · dubrovniknet.hr · dubrovnikpress.hr · dulist.hr · edgesports.com · ekolist.cz · emedjimurje.net.hr · entrevue.fr · espreso.co.rs · euronews.bg

This summary has been updated 34 times: see revision history