Tons of garbage heading into the Mediterranean Sea

After a severe storm hit Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Neretva River was filled with garbage. Tons of waste are floating on the water and heading towards the Adriatic Sea.

SARAJEVO – Persistent heavy rains kept Bosnia and Herzegovina in a state of suspense for several days. Floods, storms and landslides have left major devastation in the Balkan country. In the city of Yablancha, huge boulders buried houses. At least 16 people have died across the country and many are still missing. Now the next disaster looms.

Adriatic disaster looms: tons of garbage drifting into the Mediterranean

The Neretva River, considered the symbol of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is full of garbage. Nothing of its distinctive emerald blue color remained. The water has now turned brown. The Croatian newspaper reported that a layer of garbage weighing tons was drifting from Jablanica towards the Mediterranean Sea Slobodna Dalmatia.

Household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers, but also car tires, bottles and a lot of plastic float in the water. The rubble of rubble against each other not only creates a tremendous smell of sewage, but also creates a deafening noise.

Amidst the rubbish, emergency services of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) search for people missing in inflatable boats. A mountain rescuer said: “It is dangerous, sharp objects can damage the boat.” Slobodna Dalmatia. The waste also threatens fish populations in the Neretva.

Looming environmental disaster: tons of garbage could end up in the Adriatic Sea

Croatian Radio reported that the garbage patch was still parked at the dam of the Grabovica hydroelectric power station. Hormone replacement therapy. Emergency services are also trying to remove debris from the river using excavators. However, if the pressure becomes too high, it may be necessary to open the sluice gates. Then the carpet of rubbish, weighing several tons and about one meter thick, rushes into the Adriatic Sea. Waste could remain stuck on the bank and pollute the water for several months.

In response to Bosnia and Herzegovina's request for assistance, several European countries have now sent search and rescue teams to the flood-hit country. According to the European Commission, teams from Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Serbia, among other countries, are searching for missing people and removing rubble. Recently, heavy rains caused devastating floods in Eastern Europe. (KAS/DPA)