Sremska Mitrovica chokes on smoke as authorities claim landfill fire is controlled and air is clean

Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia – Residents of Sremska Mitrovica are enduring thick smoke billowing from the Srem-Mačva landfill, where a fire has been raging for five consecutive days. Despite official assurances that the blaze is localized and that air quality remains unaffected, the persistent plumes of smoke drifting over the city tell a different story. Citizens report a constant haze and the smell of burning waste, raising concerns about potential health impacts and environmental damage. Authorities maintain that the fire is under control and poses no significant threat to public health, stating that air monitoring shows no elevated levels of pollutants. However, the visual evidence of smoke engulfing the area and reaching residential zones has fueled skepticism among the local population. The discrepancy between official reports and the lived experience of residents highlights a potential lack of transparency or a differing assessment of the situation's severity.