Bosnia and Herzegovina ・ Climate change

An illegal quarry and negligence worsen the tragic floods in Bosnia

12 October 2024

Between the nights of 3-4 October, heavy rains flooded several towns in the central part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, causing landslides that resulted in deaths and widespread devastation. The amount of rainfall in Donja Jablanica, Fojnica, and smaller towns in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton was twice the average for October and came after months of severe drought. 

While the climate issue is undoubtedly a factor, another alarming detail emerged in the following hours. In Donja Jablanica, a quarry situated just above the houses likely worsened the impact of the water, causing landslides. But there’s more: no one in the cantonal government knew the quarry was working. Marija Buhač, head of the cantonal government, stated "This government has not issued any concession for that quarry, nor do we have any record of concession fees for it." Currently, the cantonal prosecutor has launched a criminal investigation, and other details are emerging: the company behind the quarry, doo Jablanica, owned by Dženan Honđo, never obtained the license to operate. Media outlets are also linking Honđo to well-known criminals in Sarajevo.


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