Skopje, 13 September 2025 (MIA) - The Ministry of Interior will take the necessary actions against all those for whom there is proof of involvement, Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski told an overnight press conference after a session of the Crisis Management Steering Committee, regarding the fire in a facility for storage of electronic and plastic waste in the Skopje village of Trubarevo.

In order to eliminate the threat of air pollution for residents close to the affected area, they are recommended to leave their homes and shelter in the Idrizovo-based police training center, since "protection of the people's lives and health is our priority".

The Radiation Safety Directorate has said there is no radiation in the area, whereas the nuclear, biological, and chemical protection unit within the Ministry of Defense has measured high pollution within 150 meters from the hotspot.

"Pollution is low at about 200 meters, with no pollution recorded at a distance of 400 meters," noted Toshkovski.

The police has conducted interviews with the owners or managers of the affected facility, and case operations are ongoing in coordination with a public prosecutor.

Minister Toshkovski said these fires are specific, since batteries and various metals and chemicals create extremely high temperatures when incinerated, thus making the extinguishing operations very tough and risky.

"Over 40 people have thus far been detained for the recent fires but we cannot determine any connection yet. Nevertheless, it is a fact that four landfills have been burning for the past three days. Not even God can assure me this is a coincidence. We will continue to operate in accordance with our jurisdiction. I assure you that the MoI will take every action necessary for all those for whom there is proof of involvement, in line with court orders required by prosecutors," said Toshkovski.

Health Minister Azir Aliu said there are no hospitalized patients as a result of the fire.

"There is no information for the time being of a broader pollution that would elicit mandates for people to stay indoors. An accredited institution has taken samples and we will have the official results on Monday," said Aliu.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Cvetan Tripunovski said most of the crops in the area have already been harvested.

"We will have to make the proper checks of the remaining crops. All those who have suffered damages will be compensated," said Tripunovski.

Earlier, the Ministry of Health said it has provided 2,000 protective masks for the Trubarevo residents for the purpose of reducing the direct exposure to polluted air caused by the fire, whereas the Public Health Institute issued recommendations for protection of the people's health from air pollution.

Photo: Screenshot