During a fire at the Nova-chem paint and lacquer factory in Karlovac, firefighters discovered that water used to extinguish the blaze and other contaminants from the fire site were directly discharged into the Mrežnica River through an improperly sealed drain, rather than being directed into the sewage system. The spill was temporarily sealed off by firefighters using sandbags and compost to create a barrier. According to Hrvatske vode, surface contamination has been cleaned up, and there was no fish mortality reported. The acting mayor’s office and the city emergency services have convened a meeting to investigate the incident and determine next steps. Water samples from the affected section of the Mrežnica River have been taken and will undergo detailed analysis over the next seven days. Preliminary reports suggest the leak may have originated from an old window that was poorly sealed, potentially allowing rainwater runoff. Air quality tests conducted by experts from Rijeka confirmed no risk to residents. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual report on an environmental incident involving a factory fire and subsequent water pollution. While the issue of environmental regulation and local governance is politically sensitive, the tone and framing remain neutral, focusing on the technical aspects of the event,官




