Kathmandu— Tens of thousands of protesters have marched through Zagreb, Croatia, demanding the government urgently clean up a vast illegal dump of hazardous waste near the town of Gospic. The demonstration, one of the largest in years, highlights growing frustration with the authorities' failure to address the pollution, which has been ongoing for months. The protest also challenges Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's conservative government, with accusations of corruption and cover-ups.

Environmental and Health Concerns

Environmental experts warn that the damage has remained localized so far but could eventually spread through the region’s porous terrain and rivers, potentially reaching the Adriatic Sea, which is crucial for the region’s tourism. The pollution scandal has also raised questions about the government’s effectiveness and potential corruption, with critics accusing officials of inaction and cover-ups. The ongoing investigation into a Croatian company accused of burying toxic waste at multiple sites adds to the public’s concerns about the full extent of the environmental and health risks.

The cleanup efforts and government response remain under scrutiny, with the next steps likely to involve a comprehensive investigation and a detailed cleanup plan to address the public’s concerns.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.