ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Tens of thousands of people rallied on Saturday in Croatia, furious that authorities for months haven't cleared a huge amount of illegally dumped hazardous waste that has triggered fears of major environmental damage in the European Union country. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The illegal waste scandal in the central town of Gospic has fueled criticism of conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and his government, which has faced mounting public anger in recent weeks.
The issue first surfaced last February when Croatian police and Europol, the EU's law enforcement agency, arrested 13 people suspected of illegally importing and disposing of hazardous waste. Europol said at the time that the suspects made at least 4 million euros ($4.2 million) in illegal profit.
More than a year later, Gospic residents fear that about 1,500 tons of hazardous waste remain openly dumped on the outskirts of the town. They say the waste could contaminate groundwater and pose a health risk to local residents.
Protesters demanded the government take immediate action to ensure the safe disposal of the waste. They also called for those responsible to be held accountable.
Prime Minister Plenkovic has previously said the government would allocate necessary funds for the cleanup, but has not given a specific timeline. The opposition dismisses these promises as unfulfillable.
One of the rally organizers, local environmentalist Ivan Horvat, said: "We cannot wait any longer. Our children are living next to this waste. We demand concrete action from the authorities."
Another participant, Gospic resident Marija Peric, added: "We are afraid. This waste threatens our health. We ask the government to protect us."
According to Associated Press, the rally took place in downtown Zagreb. Police did not give an exact number of participants, but organizers said tens of thousands gathered.
The incident highlights public concern over environmental issues in Croatia. Experts point to weaknesses in the country's hazardous waste control system.
Europol said the suspects imported waste from Italy, misrepresenting it as recyclable, and disposed of it illegally. The investigation is ongoing.
Gospic Mayor Karlo Starcevic said: "We are working with the government to solve this problem, but we need a concrete timeline. We have been waiting for months."
Some protesters marched toward the government building, with some calling for the cabinet's resignation. However, police intervened and said the situation was under control.
Croatian President Zoran Milanovic also weighed in, criticizing the government's inaction. He said "the waste must be cleaned up immediately."
The situation also casts a shadow over Croatia's EU membership. The European Commission has not commented, but experts warn that violating EU environmental standards could lead to sanctions.
Associated Press, covering this incident, shows the scale of the environmental crisis in Croatia. The exact composition and volume of the waste are still being determined, but local authorities have confirmed its hazardous nature.
Gospic residents have warned they will hold further protests in the coming weeks. They said they will not rest without concrete government action.
The incident could further erode public trust in authorities in Croatia. Experts say it could become a significant factor in the next elections.
According to Associated Press, the rally was peaceful, with no clashes reported. Police operated in an enhanced mode to maintain public order.
The Croatian government has not yet issued an official comment on the matter. However, Prime Minister Plenkovic has previously said "all necessary measures will be taken to resolve the issue."
The situation in Gospic shows that environmental problems also exist in other regions of Croatia. Environmentalists are calling for stronger action against illegal hazardous waste trafficking in the country.
Associated Press, publishing this story, conveys the voice of the people protesting environmental injustice in Croatia. The demands of the protesters are clear: immediate cleanup of the waste, punishment of those responsible, and prevention of such incidents in the future.