Fuel oil spills into Nišava river, Dimitrovgrad declares emergency

An emergency situation has been declared in Dimitrovgrad following a significant spill of fuel oil into the Nišava river. This marks the second such incident this summer, with a larger spill occurring in early August, following an initial event in early June.

The fuel oil originated from a reservoir at an abandoned factory, where approximately 70 tons of the substance remain after a larger spill. It is believed to have entered the river through the atmospheric sewage system. The high concentration of fuel oil has also led to strong odors in the air, raising concerns among residents about potential health risks and the possibility of the problem becoming a literal fire hazard.

Compounding the issue are complex ownership disputes surrounding the former factory, once part of the Pirot-based Tigar company. While the state sold the reservoir to a regional landfill company, the ownership of the fuel oil itself is undetermined. This ambiguity has left the spill as a problem affecting everyone, with no single entity clearly responsible for the oil.

The Zavod za javno zdravlje (Institute for Public Health) has collected samples, but results are pending. Residents living near the river have expressed concern, ceasing to use well water for irrigation due to fears of groundwater contamination. The Dimitrovgrad municipality has stated that state assistance is necessary for remediation efforts.