Andrej Plenkovic addresses tens of thousands of protesters in Zagreb who demanded action on illegal toxic waste storage.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Zagreb to protest the Croatian government's lack of action regarding the illegal storage of toxic waste. The demonstration focused on a landfill near the town of Gospic, which holds toxic waste from several countries, including Germany and Italy.
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Protesters demanded that the government clear all illegal landfills to prevent groundwater pollution and establish a new waste management plan within 20 days. They also called for a temporary ban on waste imports. An investigation involving Europol and Croatian authorities has been ongoing since February 2025, following the arrest of 13 people. The investigation covers 35,000 tons of waste, primarily from Italy, Slovenia, and Germany, consisting of plastic refuse and toxic hospital waste. The suspects allegedly earned a profit of €4 million by forging documents to declare plastic waste as recyclable. Prosecutors confirmed soil contamination in Gospic that has spread beyond the site. While drinking water remains unaffected, health authorities state the contamination poses a significant risk to the environment and public health. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic promised to cover the toxic waste site by mid-October before the waste is removed.