Fish kill in the Bosna River near Zenica

(Patria) - In the midst of the tourist season and promotion of the beauties of Bosnia and Herzegovina, alarming images of fish kill have appeared on the Bosna River. The population is disturbed, and eco-activists have informed the police and relevant authorities. The police have arrived at the scene, and inspectors are passing the buck between different levels of government. The causes of the fish kill are still unknown, as are the extent of the damage and the consequences for flora, fauna, and human health.

Mass fish kill was noticed by fishermen. They informed the police and relevant institutions.

"This morning at 9:15 AM, members of the association Bistro Zenica reported to the Nemila Police Station that a fish kill due to pollution of the Bosna River had occurred at the Vranduk site. The duty prosecutor of the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office Zenica has been informed, and an on-site investigation was carried out by officers of the Criminal Police Department and Police Administration 1 Zenica," stated Elvedin Fišek, spokesperson for the Police Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of ZDK.

This is the third ecological incident on the Bosna River this year with the most severe consequences. So far, apart from apologies from perpetrators and their confessions, no one has been held criminally responsible. We contacted the cantonal water inspector, who told us that the case falls under the jurisdiction of the federal inspectorate. We received information from the federal inspector that he is on annual leave and that after receiving the report from the police and prosecution, he will act within his jurisdiction.

"This is ecocide, this is no longer an ecological incident. The most important thing is to discover the cause of mortality, who caused it. That is more than enough argument for the Prosecutor's Office to finally bring this case to an end. That is, not only to file an indictment but for the polluter to truly be prosecuted," says Safet Kubat, representative of the Eco Movement of the Bosna and Herzegovina Rivers "Budi promjena".

Analysis of the collected water and fish samples will reveal more details. Whether there are heavy metals and other substances, where they come from, and how dangerous they are.

Zenica residents do not hide their disappointment due to the repeated pollution of the Bosna River:

"We are outraged by what we have seen. I spend a lot of time by the river with friends, we clean up plastic and strive to keep our river clean."

"This is not normal, this is not the first time, I am outraged!"

Eco-activists appeal to the public not to fish or consume fish in the coming days until official laboratory findings are available, so that this fish kill does not have more serious consequences for the population.(