Fire at Bosnia's Mostar landfill triggers disaster declaration

A fire broke out at the Uborak landfill in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Monday morning at around 9 a.m. and quickly spread, engulfing a warehouse, facilities and recycling machinery.

The Federal Civil Protection Administration (FUCZ) confirmed that the situation at the fire site remains difficult, although more favorable than earlier in the day, CE Report quotes FENA.

According to FUCZ, 15 firefighters with seven fire engines were dispatched immediately after the alarm was raised. All workers were evacuated, and no injuries have been reported.

The Armed Forces, supported by ground personnel and water tankers, have been involved in firefighting efforts from the outset. Authorities also noted that aerial support was provided by an Air Tractor aircraft, which carried out 13 water drops over the Uborak landfill between 10:45 a.m. and 4 p.m.

During the day, around 30 firefighters with 12 vehicles were engaged in extinguishing the blaze, with additional support arriving from firefighters from Čapljina.

“The situation at the fire site in the afternoon is somewhat more favorable, but it remains difficult due to shifting winds. Around 10 firefighters with three water tankers remain on the ground,” FUCZ said.

At a joint session of the Civil Protection Headquarters of the City of Mostar and the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Civil Protection Headquarters, a decision was made to declare a technical and technological disaster caused by the fire at the public company JP ‘Deponija’.

“The competent civil protection services, fire brigades, emergency medical teams, Air Tractor aircraft, the Armed Forces and other protection and rescue services are taking all necessary measures to contain the fire and mitigate its consequences,” the statement said.

To protect the health and safety of residents, the City Administration of Mostar and the Civil Protection Service issued preventive recommendations, including avoiding outdoor activities, keeping buildings closed, protecting vulnerable groups and refraining from using open water sources.

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