Croatia hazardous waste protest draws tens of thousands

Tens of thousands of people marched through central Zagreb on Sept. 5 calling for the cleanup of thousands of tonnes of illegally dumped hazardous waste in Croatia's Lika region.

About 35,000 tonnes of waste, including electronic and medical waste, were found in early 2025 in the region, which includes forests, rivers, national parks and Croatia's longest mountain range.

Authorities have been investigating 10 people and four companies over the dumping. They are suspected of importing waste from Slovenia, Italy and Germany and illegally dumping or burying it alongside medical waste from Croatia in Gospic.

Croatian prosecutors said in August that soil in Gospic was contaminated and that waste had spread beyond the dumping site, presenting a "significant risk for the environment and people's health". Health authorities said drinking water in Gospic remained safe.

The march, called "Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia", was backed by President Zoran Milanovic, opposition groups, public figures and non-government organisations.

Organisers demanded that authorities present a cleanup plan within 20 days, remove the waste within three months and hold those responsible to account.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said earlier in September that the site would be covered by mid-October and that removal would follow.