Landfill fire increases pollution in Sremska Mitrovica; wind carries smoke to neighboring municipalities

A fire at the regional landfill in Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia, has led to a severe increase in air pollution, blanketing the city in thick smoke that is also drifting into the neighboring municipality of Ruma. The situation has raised concerns among residents and local media.

Fifteen firefighters, supported by multiple vehicles and trucks, are engaged in extinguishing and covering the fire with soil. However, the process of dousing the landfill with water causes the waste to smolder, resulting in a constant emission of smoke. Residents in Ruma and surrounding areas reported smelling strong smoke and the odor of burning plastic throughout the morning.

Official reports from the Sremska Mitrovica Emergency Situations Headquarters have described the general air quality as "good." However, written data from monitoring services contradicts these assessments, according to the IN Medija portal. This discrepancy is particularly concerning given that several large-scale outdoor events are planned in Sremska Mitrovica, including an entertainment program as part of the "Expo Caravan" and a sports-humanitarian event, "Mitrovica Runs for the Rare," scheduled for the following day.

The scheduled events, aimed at raising funds for children with rare diseases, are now under a cloud of potential health risks due to the poor air quality. The contrast between official statements and monitoring data highlights a significant communication gap or a potential downplaying of the environmental hazard.