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2 clusters · 4 sources · 23 days · First seen · Last updated

Landfill fires and environmental pollution in the Balkans

Overview

Landfill fires in Serbia and North Macedonia have caused significant environmental and public health concerns. In Kula, Serbia, a multi-day blaze at the Lapoš landfill produced thick smoke and toxic fumes, leading to respiratory difficulties for residents. Local activists filed criminal complaints against emergency officials and environmental inspectors, alleging they misled the public by failing to measure heavy metals and furans during air quality assessments.

In the Pollogu region of North Macedonia, specifically near Sllatinë, communities have condemned landfill fires as a “crime against nature.” Residents report that intentional fires at illegal and wild landfills are a recurring issue causing damage to wildlife, trees, and agricultural land. While similar incidents previously affected the Tearca municipality, local authorities in Sllatinë are now calling for stricter legal punishments, noting that no individuals have yet been held accountable for these environmental crimes.

Entities

Lapos landfill · Tetovë · Sllatinë · Kula · Tearca

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Sllatinë community condemns illegal landfill fires

    The Sllatinë local community is demanding legal action against perpetrators of intentional landfill fires in the Pollogu region, citing severe environmental and agricultural damage.

  2. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Lapoš landfill fire in Kula sparks criminal complaints

    The Lapoš landfill in Kula, Serbia, has been burning for three days, prompting criminal complaints against local officials for allegedly failing to properly monitor toxic air pollutants.

Sources

gazeta.mk · n1info.rs · nova.rs · tetova1.mk