Investigation into the Jablanica accident still ongoing: 3D terrain scanning completed, documents of the company 'Sani' being analyzed

(Patria) - Due to great public interest, and for the purpose of objective information, as well as numerous media inquiries regarding the tragedy that occurred in the municipalities of Jablanica and Konjic, the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Prosecutor's Office has issued a statement.

"The team of prosecutors of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Prosecutor's Office, the Konjic Branch Prosecutor's Office, is professionally and expertly undertaking all legally prescribed measures and actions within its jurisdiction, together with members of the HNC Ministry of Interior, Konjic Police Department, specifically the Konjic and Jablanica Police Stations, with a special focus on the natural disaster and the potential responsibility and role of human factors.

We remind you that after the on-site investigation was conducted, and following the autopsies of the deceased persons, it was determined that death in most of the victims occurred due to suffocation by earth and similar material.

By court order, and under the supervision of the HNC Prosecutor's Office, police investigators seized business documentation from the HNC Ministry of Economy, which pertains to the company 'Sani' d.o.o. Jablanica, which allegedly included the aforementioned quarry.

Likewise, certain business documentation was seized from the company 'Sani' d.o.o. Jablanica, and its analysis is underway. Numerous expert assessments have been ordered, specifically by experts in mining and geodesy, and data is being collected from the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute, as well as from other institutions and services as needed.

Furthermore, a 3D terrain scan with 'Lidar' from the air was ordered and carried out in the wider area of Donja Jablanica, with the aim of determining the quantity and volume of the displaced earth mass and its magnitude, as well as its impact on the devastating consequences, i.e., the tragedy.

This recording will be used for further expert assessments by a geological expert.

A certain number of persons have been heard as witnesses. At this stage of the criminal proceedings, considering the scope and complexity of the case, and while pre-investigation actions and checks are still ongoing, we are unable to provide more information and conclusions about the cause and all circumstances of the event-tragedy.

Following the above, we remind the interested public of the presumption of innocence, as one of the fundamental legal principles, all in order to protect the interests of the investigation and the human rights of individuals, and to allow the competent institutions to carry out actions within their jurisdiction unhindered, in accordance with the law," the statement said.