First estimates: More than 2,000 residents of Maglaj could lose their jobs

The situation in Maglaj is not promising, although houses, buildings, and streets flooded are being cleaned daily, writes the Patria News Agency. As the Mayor of Maglaj, Mehmed Mustabašić, confirmed to NAP, landslides have reactivated, 1,550 houses and apartments are flooded, 436 buildings are threatened by landslides, and about 4,500 people are practically not in their homes.

- It is possible that we will have problems with bread shortages again, we constantly face bigger and bigger troubles. It is possible that someone is missing something. I will check, there should be no bread shortage, we have arranged for them to bake bread in Šeher and deliver it - says Mustabašić.

A particular problem in Maglaj after the catastrophic floods is the increasingly widespread phenomenon of businessmen closing their companies, leaving workers jobless.

- This is a widespread phenomenon, but we have slowed it down a bit. We made an estimate, about 2,000 jobs are in question. Not a single business facility has started operating yet, except for a gas station in town that we have made operational for our own needs - Mustabašić added and appealed that they need machines for cleaning the city, trucks, and fuel.

- We are struggling with the latter. Humanitarian aid arrives daily. We have a group from Bihać led by Hamdija Abdić Tigar who are helping - Mustabašić added.

One of the reasons for the bread shortage is the fact that not a single bakery is operating, and as Musli Totaj, owner of the "Non stop" bakery, pointed out to NAP, his facilities were completely destroyed, but they have also made a lot of things operational.

- Our situation is specific and we cannot start working until we have 100 percent hygienic conditions. The sanitary inspection visited us today and took swabs, but we also don't have raw materials, so that is a big problem for us - says Totaj.

The "Non stop" bakery ran out of raw materials

He added that he employs 40 workers and has no intention of reducing that number, but rather fighting for survival.

- I have no intention of firing anyone, but my fellow citizens whose shops were destroyed are forced to close their businesses. Unfortunately, people have no choice - Totaj added.