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They've gotten away with a lot of things without any political responsibility, they've stolen from wind, iron and I don't know what else.
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/7/2026

They've gotten away with a lot of things without any political responsibility, they've stolen from wind, iron and I don't know what else.

Sabora zastupnica Sandra Benčić, članica stranke Možemo!, održala je konferenciju za medije gdje je komentirala rezultate analize podzemnih voda u Gospiću, objavljenih od strane USKOK-a. Analiza pokazuje ogroman nivo mikroplastike u podzemnim vodama – više od 130 čestica po litru, što je 900 puta više nego u prosjeku u hrvatskom vodovodu. Benčić naglašava da se ne radi o jednokratnom izljevu, već o kontinuiranom procesu onečišćenja, pogotovo tokom kiša. Ona kritizira vladu zbog nedostatka političke odgovornosti i smatra da je potrebno odmah početi s hitnom sanacijom i iskopavanjem otpada. Također podsjeća na ranije nalaze o nečistoći i opominje da se ne može zaustaviti daljnje onečišćenje samo prekrivanjem. Kritika se usmjerava prema ministrima i glavnom državnom inspektoru, koji su, prema njevim riječima, doprineli situaciji.

A professor has warned that microplastic pollution detected in groundwater near the town of Liča in Croatia is just the tip of the iceberg, with many other potentially harmful substances remaining undetected. Branimir Hackenberger, an ecotoxicologist at the University of Osijek, commented on findings published by the Croatian State Environmental Protection Agency (USKOK). He emphasized that while the analysis confirmed the presence of microplastics emitted by waste in the area, it did not provide information on trends or other hazardous substances that might be present. Hackenberger noted that there are no legal maximum concentrations for microplastics either in Croatia or Europe, making it difficult to assess the risk accurately. Hackenberger explained that the study was conducted meticulously, allowing for comparisons between the concentration of microplastics found in the area and reference locations where none were detected. However, he pointed out that the testing focused primarily on parameters defined by laws and regulations, which may not be sufficient given the unusual circumstances of the situation. He highlighted that medical or chemical industry waste could contain numerous compounds whose presence is unknown and therefore untested. The professor stressed that the main takeaway from the report should be the urgent need to isolate or remove the waste from the site. As long as the waste remains in its current location or is not properly isolated, the risk cannot be definitively assessed. He compared the situation to a fire, where damage is immediately visible, but here, the harm is ongoing and accumulates daily due to delays in remediation efforts. In response to concerns over the significance of finding Teflon particles, Hackenberger stated that their presence does not necessarily indicate a specific risk but confirms the emission of various substances. He praised USKOK for publishing the report independently and without political pressure, noting that such transparency is rare in some countries. However, he criticized the politicization of the issue, stating that both denial of the problem and unnecessary panic lead to inaction. Sandra Benčić, a parliamentary representative from the party Možemo!, commented on the findings, emphasizing that the levels of microplastics found, over 130 particles per liter, were significantly higher than those typically found in drinking water supplies. She argued that this level of contamination is unacceptable and called for immediate action to excavate and remove the waste. Benčić accused the government of inaction and lack of political responsibility, suggesting that those responsible for appointing officials who failed in their duties should resign. The Institute for Waters clarified that the findings relate to local piezometers in the area of illegal waste disposal near Gospić and do not indicate issues with the public water supply. They assured the public that the water supplied through the municipal system has been tested and found safe, meeting all regulatory standards. Monitoring of groundwater in the affected area will continue, especially after rainfall, alongside necessary remediation measures. The results highlight the complexity of assessing environmental risks in situations involving industrial or medical waste, where the potential for additional contaminants exists beyond what standard tests can detect. Experts stress the importance of addressing these issues promptly to prevent further degradation of the environment and protect public health.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 4 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Go to the primary sources (1)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

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6 reports

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 909/7/2026
The problem is that we test for what we want to test for, and a whole host of micro-compounds remain undetected.

Ekotoksikolog Branimir Hackenberger, u intervjuu za N1, komentariše rezultate analize podzemnih voda objavljenih USKOK-om. On naglašava da je dokazano da otpad u Lici emitira štetne tvari, posebno mikroplasticu, ali ističe da se ne može zaključiti o drugim potencijalno opasnim tvarima. Hackenberger ističe da mikroplastika nije regulirana, a zabrinjava ga činjenica da su čestice mikroplastike našle izvan područja otpada, što ukazuje na mogućnost prisustva druge štetne materije. Naglašava potrebu za brzim izolacijom otpada i hidrološkim istraživanjima kako bi se ustanovila dalja šteta i moguće posljedice u budućnosti.

Bias read (Center): Artikel predstavlja stručnu analizu ekološkog problema, bez značajnog političkog slanja. Iako se govori o okolišu i otpadu, temelji se na naučnim podacima i preporukama, a ne na političkoj agendi. Stoga se ne može smatrati značajno levičarskom ili desničarskom. Uglavnom se fokusira na objektivno obj

Why factuality (95): This article closely follows the primary source document, quoting the professor verbatim on multiple points including the significance of microplastic findings, regulatory gaps, and the need for waste removal. It includes nearly all key information from the original text.

Why objectivity (90): The article presents the information in a neutral manner, directly quoting the expert without adding personal interpretation or opinion. The language is professional and objective throughout.

Index.hr logoIndex.hrIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 809/7/2026
Professor on the discovery of water in the Face: A whole range of particles and microcompounds are undetected

Ekotoksiolog Branimir Hackenberger, profesor na Sveučilištu Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, komentira rezultate analize podzemnih voda u Lici, koje je objavio USKOK. On ističe da analiza pokazuje prisutnost mikroplastike u otpadu, ali ističe da se ne može jednoznačno zaključiti o štetnosti tih čestica ni o drugim potencijalno opasnim tvarima. Hackenberger naglašava da je uzorkovanje vrlo promišljeno, ali da se testira samo ono što je propisano, a mnogi potencijalno opasni spojevi ostaju neotkriveni. On podsjeća da je otpad na tom mjestu još uvijek izvor potencijalne štete i da je ključno hitno izolirati otpad kako bi se smanjila neizvjesnost o rizicima.

Bias read (Center): Čak i ako se analiza fokusira na mikroplasticu, ekspert se ne prebacuje na stranu, već ističe ograničenja i nedostatak informacija. Učestvuje u diskusiji bez jasne strane prednosti, a ne prihvaća ni jednu stranu kao apsolutno pravilnu. Iako se radi o okolišu, to je politički relevantno pitanje jer u

Why factuality (85): The article accurately summarizes the professor's statements from the primary source, including his comments on microplastic emissions, lack of regulation, and the need for isolation of waste. However, it omits some specific details like the mention of 'teflon' and the comparison to reference locati

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone, presenting the expert's views without overt bias. It does include some interpretive phrases like 'zabrinjava' (concerning) but overall remains balanced in its reporting.

tportal logotportalIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 759/2/2026
They've spoken from Kostak, here's what they say about the affair in Slovenia: 'It's not true...'

Društvo Kostak, koje je odabrano za izvođenje radova privremenog prekrivanja otpada na lokaciji u Gospiću, odbacilo je navode da bi matična tvrtka u Sloveniji ilegalno zakopala tisuće tona otpada. Prema objavljenom priopćenju, radilo se o nepropisnom privremenom skladištenju otpada na prostoru vlastitog Centra za gospodarenje otpadom, koje je uklonjeno na trošak društva, a područje je sanirano. Društvo naglašava da su svi postupci provedeni sukladno Zakonu o javnoj nabavi, uz provjeru dokumentacije i potvrda o nekažnjavanju. Također, objašnjavaju da su radovi vezani uz izradu zaštitne prekrivke, a ne rukovanje otpadom, i da imaju stručnu osobu i iskustvo za izvođenje posla kvalitetno i u roku.

Bias read (Center): Čak i ako se tematično radi o okolišu i lokalnoj politici, tekst se fokusira na objektivno objašnjenje pozicije tvrtke Kostak, bez evidentnog strujanja lijeve ili desne stranke. Upravo zbog toga se odlučuje za CENTRALAN lejn, jer se ne primjećuje jasna tendencija u izboru riječi, izvorima ili kontek

Why factuality (85): Article accurately summarizes the company’s statement, including the legal basis for the contract and clarification of past activities. It aligns with the primary source and provides clear details.

Why objectivity (75): The tone is professional and factual, though it emphasizes the company’s qualifications and adherence to regulations, which might subtly favor the company’s position.

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentProgressiveFactual 75Objective 659/7/2026
They've gotten away with a lot of things without any political responsibility, they've stolen from wind, iron and I don't know what else.

Sabora zastupnica Sandra Benčić, članica stranke Možemo!, održala je konferenciju za medije gdje je komentirala rezultate analize podzemnih voda u Gospiću, objavljenih od strane USKOK-a. Analiza pokazuje ogroman nivo mikroplastike u podzemnim vodama – više od 130 čestica po litru, što je 900 puta više nego u prosjeku u hrvatskom vodovodu. Benčić naglašava da se ne radi o jednokratnom izljevu, već o kontinuiranom procesu onečišćenja, pogotovo tokom kiša. Ona kritizira vladu zbog nedostatka političke odgovornosti i smatra da je potrebno odmah početi s hitnom sanacijom i iskopavanjem otpada. Također podsjeća na ranije nalaze o nečistoći i opominje da se ne može zaustaviti daljnje onečišćenje samo prekrivanjem. Kritika se usmjerava prema ministrima i glavnom državnom inspektoru, koji su, prema njevim riječima, doprineli situaciji.

Bias read (Progressive): Artikel fokusira se na kritici vlade i njene nedostatak političke odgovornosti, te naglašava potrebu za hitnom akcijom i sankcijama protiv političara. Korištenje izraza kao 'svašta im je prošlo bez političke odgovornosti' i 'treba dati ostavku' ukazuju na jasno lijevi okvir. Kritika je direktna i os

Why factuality (75): The article provides accurate information about the microplastic concentrations but adds some interpretations not present in the primary source. It makes comparisons between European standards that aren't explicitly stated by the professor. Some technical details are simplified or omitted.

Why objectivity (65): The article has a clear political tone, using strong language like 'krali su od vjetra' (they stole from the wind) and making definitive claims about the situation that go beyond what was stated in the primary source. It shows clear support for the political perspective presented by the representati

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentCenterFactual 70Objective 759/7/2026
Water Institute on the discovery of artificial deposits at Gospić

Institut za vode odbijao je tvrdnju da je pronađeno vještačenje na divljem odlagalištu kod Gospića dokazuje neispravnost vode za piće. Ravnatelj instituta Mario Šiljeg objasnio je da je pronađeno vještačenje u lokalnim piezometrima u zoni nezakonito odloženog otpada, a ne u vodi iz javnog vodoopskrbnog sustava. Naglasio je da su dosadašnja službena ispitivanja vode za piće na području Gospića potvrdila njezinu zdravstvenu ispravnost i sukladnost s propisanim vrijednostima. Oporuka je da će podzemne vode nastaviti se pratiti, posebno nakon oborina, uz provedbu sanacijskih mjera. Podrobno je istaknut da zdravstvena ispravnost vode za potrošnju kontrolira Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo i drugi nadležni zavodi.

Bias read (Center): Vijest se fokusira na tehničko i znanstveno objašnjenje pronađenog vještačenja, bez evidentnog političkog slanja ili strane perspektive. Informacije su donesene neutralno, s naglaskom na službene analize i nadzor zdravstvene ispravnosti vode. Nema jasne tendencije prema lijevoj ili desnoj strani, pa

Why factuality (70): While this article mentions the finding of microplastics, it significantly simplifies and alters the professor's statements. It incorrectly attributes the statement about drinking water safety to the Institute for Water rather than the professor. It also omits crucial context about the limitations o

Why objectivity (75): The article takes a more official tone, emphasizing the Institute for Water's position rather than presenting multiple perspectives. While not overtly biased, it frames the issue in a way that supports the official stance rather than presenting the full complexity of the situation.

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija) logoHRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 859/2/2026
Plenković in Gospić: Recovery will be speeded up; GI: The problem of structural waste

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced during a visit to Gospić that the process of sanation would be accelerated. The government institution (GI) stated that the issue of waste management is structural in nature.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a government announcement regarding the acceleration of sanation and a statement from a government institution about waste management being a structural issue. There is no evident framing that favors one side over another; the content appears balanced and factual.

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone, focusing on factual information about the selected contractors and the procedures followed. It avoids taking sides and presents the situation objectively without editorializing.

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