Why is Sarajevo experiencing such bad air quality?

Sarajevo's air quality suffers from pollution trapped by its valley geography, exacerbated by domestic heating and vehicle emissions during winter.

What disruptions did the fog cause in Sarajevo?

The fog led to cancelled flights, slow traffic, and advisories for children to stay indoors.

What measures are being taken in Sarajevo for air pollution?

Authorities have banned heavy trucks, restricted non-compliant vehicles, and prohibited outdoor construction and public gatherings.

Home / Environment / Sarajevo Choked: Thick Fog Halts Flights, Health Alert Issued

Sarajevo Choked: Thick Fog Halts Flights, Health Alert Issued

18 Dec

•

Summary

Thick fog caused flight cancellations and grounded rush hour traffic.
Sarajevo's air quality was ranked 'unhealthy' due to pollution.
Authorities banned heavy trucks and outdoor construction work.

Sarajevo Choked: Thick Fog Halts Flights, Health Alert Issued

A dense fog descended upon Sarajevo on Thursday, causing significant disruption and bringing the Bosnian capital to a standstill. Flights were cancelled, and morning traffic moved at a crawl as visibility plummeted. Residents were observed wearing face masks, highlighting concerns over hazardous air quality.

The Swiss air quality company IQAir rated Sarajevo's air quality as "unhealthy," a frequent occurrence for the city. To combat the severe pollution, which is exacerbated by the city's valley location trapping emissions from heating and vehicles, authorities had banned heavy trucks and construction work on Wednesday.

Experts have warned about the health risks associated with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure, including respiratory infections, cancer, and premature deaths. This environmental challenge is part of a broader issue in the Balkans, where environmental protection records are often poor.