Environmental
Drina River Overwhelmed by Garbage in Eastern Bosnia
Seasonal rains triggered an environmental crisis as tonnes of waste from illegal dumps choked the Drina River in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, raising health and ecosystem concerns.
In early 2026, swollen tributaries swept tonnes of plastic, household waste, construction debris, and even medical waste from numerous illegal dumpsites into the Drina River at Višegrad, where it became trapped behind a hydroelectric plant fence. The thick carpet of garbage covered the river’s surface, creating a toxic hazard for fish and nearby communities who rely on the water for fishing and recreation. Local environmental groups described the scenes as an ecological disaster that repeats every winter, blaming the lack of political will and ineffective waste regulation. Authorities have organized machinery to remove the waste, but activists warn that without closing illegal dumps and enforcing regional cooperation with Serbia and Montenegro, the cycle will repeat.
- Status
- active
- Location
- Višegrad, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Date added
- 2026-03-22 17:56 UTC
- Last updated
- 2026-03-22 17:56 UTC
- Source
- Euronews
- Connected threats
- Not provided