Is the water in Gospić safe for drinking?

Health Minister Irena Hrstić confirmed that the water in Gospić is safe for drinking according to all analyses and measurements.

Why has well water only now started being tested?

There is no data on well locations, so the county institute and HZJZ have called on citizens who own wells to report them so that the water can be tested in the same way as public water supply.

How have political parties reacted to the release of USKOK's documents?

Most has begun collecting signatures for a vote of no confidence in the government, and MP Dušica Radojčić of Možemo! has called an emergency session of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Nature Protection.

Croatia

Hrstić: Cancer Rates in Lika Lower Than Rest of Croatia

Q: Is there an increased incidence of cancer in Lika-Senj County?

According to the latest HZJZ report, there is no increased incidence of malignant diseases in Lika-Senj County, and the average rate is below the Croatian average.

A.F. · Prije 9h | 2 min

Health Minister says HZJZ data shows no increased incidence of malignant diseases in Lika-Senj County, while political reactions to the Lika ecocide continue.

Summary

Minister Hrstić claims the number of malignant diseases in Lika-Senj County is below the Croatian average.
Water in Gospić is safe for drinking, and wells will only now be tested because there is no data on their locations.
USKOK's documents on the Lika ecocide prompted Most to start collecting signatures for a vote of no confidence and an emergency session of the parliamentary committee.

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Health Minister Irena Hrstić stated on Wednesday that according to all analyses and measurements, there is no reason for concern regarding citizens' health, and that the water in Gospić is safe for drinking. She dismissed accusations of a rise in malignant diseases in Lika-Senj County, emphasizing that the number of patients there is below the Croatian average, as reported by 24sata on August 12, 2026.

"According to the data we have from the latest report of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, there is no increased incidence of either chronic diseases or cancer in Lika-Senj County. In fact, the average rate of malignant diseases in Lika-Senj County is currently lower than the Croatian average," Hrstić said on Nova TV's Dnevnik.

Well Water Tested Only Now

Asked why well water is only now being tested, the minister explained that only water from the public supply network has available data. "There is no data on where wells are located, which is precisely why the county institute and HZJZ have nominated that all citizens who own wells report them, and that water will be tested in the same way as public water supply," she stated.

She assured citizens that the Ministry of Health and HZJZ will immediately inform the public if any finding shows that water is not safe for human health. "If at any point a finding is not good enough for human health, the Ministry of Health and HZJZ will immediately notify citizens," Hrstić said.

Political Reactions to Lika Ecocide

The minister's statement came after USKOK released documents on the scale of the Lika ecocide. Most has begun collecting signatures for a vote of no confidence in the government, and MP Dušica Radojčić of the Možemo! party has called an emergency session of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Nature Protection. The reason is the illegal disposal of hazardous waste within the premises of the former company PPK Velebit, as well as confirmed contamination of soil and groundwater.

Hrstić acknowledged that she understands citizens' fear and concern, but reiterated that all analyses and measurements show no health risks. She added that plants analyzed outside the landfill area itself were free of contamination and expressed hope that through communication with citizens, a "calm state" can be achieved.