Walk For Lika

Tens of thousands of people rallied in Zagreb on Saturday seeking immediate cleanup of thousands of tonnes of illegally dumped hazardous waste in one of Croatia's most pristine areas. Some 35,000 tonnes of waste, including electronic and medical, were found in early 2025 in the Lika region, known for pristine forests and rivers and home to national parks.

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. In August, prosecutors confirmed soil contamination, adding that the waste presented a "significant risk for the environment and people's health".

Ecocide equals slow genocide

The march, dubbed "Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia", was backed by President Zoran Milanovic, the opposition, and numerous public figures. "I want a beautiful, clean and healthy Croatia for my children, that they can drink water from any tap in this country," Katarina Kenda, who joined with her three children, told AFP.

"Ecocide equals slow genocide" and "Halt waste import", read some of the banners. Organisers demanded a concrete cleanup plan within 20 days, removal within three months, and accountability. Conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the site would be covered by mid-October and removal would follow.