Story perspectives

Croatians demand hazardous waste cleanup after Gospic findings

9/7/2026

Summary

Citizens Demand Cleanup

Croatian citizens marched in Zagreb demanding urgent cleanup of illegally dumped hazardous waste near Gospic.
The “Gospic Is Our Home” initiative organized the “Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia” march.
Organisers demand a public remediation plan with binding deadlines within 20 days.
They also require removal of 33,000 tons of hazardous waste within three months.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic visited Gospic, stating no current threat and pledging cleanup.

Summary

Europol Busts Waste

Europol helped Croatian police arrest 13 suspects in February 2025 for illegal waste imports.
The scheme earned at least €4 million ($4.6 million) profit for the suspects, Europol says.
Croatia’s anti-corruption agency USKOK found elevated metal levels and PFAS in groundwater at Gospic.
Experts warn karst terrain could carry pollutants from Gospic to the Adriatic Sea, threatening tourism.
The government chose a contractor to temporarily cover the landfill and start partial waste removal.

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Citizens Demand Cleanup

Croatian citizens marched in Zagreb demanding urgent cleanup of illegally dumped hazardous waste near Gospic.
The “Gospic Is Our Home” initiative organized the “Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia” march.
Organisers demand a public remediation plan with binding deadlines within 20 days.
They also require removal of 33,000 tons of hazardous waste within three months.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic visited Gospic, stating no current threat and pledging cleanup.

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