Environmental
Toxic mine spill in North Macedonia threatens health and food safety
Lead-zinc mine accident in Kriva Palanka releases heavy metals and cyanide into the Kriva River, posing serious risks to human health, agriculture, and livestock.
An accident at the Toranica lead-zinc mine near Kriva Palanka in North Macedonia has caused a severe pollution incident in the Kriva River. Water samples show alarmingly high levels of lead and cyanide, with concentrations of lead increased tenfold and cyanide, phosphorus, and nitrogen increased several hundredfold. The pollution threatens human health, contaminates soil and crops, and endangers livestock that depend on the affected watercourses. The Kriva Palanka municipality has announced it will seek criminal liability for the responsible parties and has called on the Public Prosecutor’s Office to take urgent sanctioning measures. There are also concerns about misinformation by local officials claiming the water is safe despite test results showing it is dangerous.
- Status
- active
- Location
- Kriva Palanka, North Macedonia
- Date added
- 2026-03-29 15:13 UTC
- Last updated
- 2026-03-29 15:13 UTC
- Source
- https://www.slobodenpeka.mk
- Connected threats
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- Not Available