a few seconds agoA thousand and 200 citizens were hospitalised in Gostivar, allegedly poisoned by drinking water.
Periskopi(44 minutes ago)
(44 minutes ago)Authorities in Northern Macedonia have temporarily banned the use of drinking water from the Gostivar pipeline, while a broad investigation is under way to find out whether the supply system has been contaminated by illegally deployed pumps. The decision was made after an unusual number of citizens with gastroinstinal symptoms were registered in the city.
The most disturbing situation has been recorded at General Hospital “Dr. Ferid Murad”, where some 1,000 to 1,200 people have sought medical help during the last days. Due to the large influx of patients, the hospital has engaged additional personnel in the most busy departments, reports INA.
According to the hospital, most patients are presented with the same symptoms as vomiting, diarrhea, stomachaches, temperature, sluggishness, and other gastroinstinal concerns. The largest number have been treated in the efficient department, the pediatrics, and the emergency service.
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Public Prosecutor in Gostivar has opened preliminary procedure following police announcements of allegations that drinking water may have been contaminated due to illegal interventions in the water supply network.
State public prosecutor Nenad Saveski said all competent institutions are involved in the investigation and that evidence is currently being collected to determine whether the case constitutes criminal acts.
By order of the prosecution, public Health Institute teams have taken water samples for physical-chemical and microbiological analysis.
Institute Director Marija Andonovska announced that the results are expected within 48 hours.
Even the Gostivar Public Health Centre has confirmed that samples have been taken from four different networks, while analysis will show whether water is the cause of reported health problems.
After the alleged allegations, the Food and Veterinary Agency (AUV) imposed a temporary ban on the use of water for drinking until the completion of laboratory tests.
According to AUV, during the inspection it was found that a pump injecting water from the Vardar River into the water supply system was illegally placed in the main pipe.
Meanwhile, the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs revealed that there are doubts that the Public Company “Vodododa”, in co-operation with the Gostivar municipality, had installed three pumps to increase pressure on the network, inserting water directly into the main pipe due to lack of drinking water.
According to the MPB, this move could have jeopardised the health of citizens, while investigations are under way for criminal activity “The version of drinking water”, according to Article 219 of the Penal Code.
Police, prosecution, the Public Health Institute, the Food and Veterinary Agency, the State Accounting of the Life Environment, and a licensed judicial expert will carry out the expertise of the alleged system as determined against the law.
