Hundreds of hazardous containers filled with chemicals remain in the Šumava National Park. As early as 2023, experts recommended beginning immediate remediation, but this never took place.
A new survey conducted this year confirmed extensive soil contamination and serious risks to human health and the environment. The chemicals are carcinogenic and can damage the reproductive, developmental, hormonal, and immune systems. Some of the substances found also pose a significant risk to groundwater quality. The site must be decontaminated immediately. Until remediation begins, the Czech Police will guard the area, and the Czech Army will also assist in securing it. The Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of the Interior will collaborate to resolve the situation.
“A serious failure has occurred. The ministry’s leadership, headed by Petr Hladík, was aware of the safety risk, yet took no action despite recommendations from experts dating back to 2023. Through its inaction, it endangered the lives of the citizens of the Czech Republic. Hundreds of hazardous containers remained at the site within the Šumava National Park for another three years, and part of their contents continued to leak. After discovering the true extent of the problem, I therefore immediately ordered a supplementary investigation to be launched. We will not wait for further leaks of hazardous substances to occur; protecting the public, water, and the environment is an absolute priority for our government,” said Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic Igor Červený.
The first containers of chemicals were found at the site as early as May 26, 2023, and a survey and remediation work were carried out there in June. DEKONTA Company comprehensive final remediation report from late August 2023 recommended remediating the entire site as soon as possible. Among other reasons, this was due to the poor condition of the pressure drums and other containers holding chemicals, some of which are located immediately below the surface.
However, a comprehensive remediation of the site did not take place in the following years.
New Survey Confirms Extent of Contamination
A supplementary survey conducted in 2026 confirmed that dozens of small drums, pressure drums, 200-liter containers, ampoules, and other chemical waste are still present at the site. There are approximately 80 to 100 metal drums, 70 to 100 pressure drums, and 10 large-volume containers with liquid contents in the subsoil. There may be additional layers of buried drums beneath the current containers in the subsoil.
Laboratory analyses confirmed the presence of dioxins and furans, mercury, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chloroform, tetrachloromethane, chlorinated hydrocarbons, chlorobenzenes, and petroleum hydrocarbons.
Dioxins and furans are among the most toxic and persistent chemical substances. They are carcinogenic and damage the reproductive, developmental, endocrine, and immune systems. Some of the substances found also pose a significant risk to groundwater. The Ministry of the Environment will therefore investigate whether groundwater has been contaminated. Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons can migrate through the rock environment and create long-term sources of contamination.
Safety Risks
A significant risk is the possibility of fire. The thermal decomposition of certain chlorinated solvents can produce highly toxic gases. One such gas is phosgene, a chemical warfare agent and an extremely toxic asphyxiant. Heating volatile substances can lead to increased pressure in containers and, in extreme cases, to their explosion.
At the same time, for some of the barrels, the presence of substances that may be chemical warfare agents cannot be ruled out. In the event of a fire, contamination could spread through fly ash. Furthermore, firefighting water could force hazardous substances deeper into the rock formation and endanger groundwater.
Remediation will begin this year and continue through 2028
Remediation of the site will proceed in stages through 2028. Approximately 200 million crowns will be allocated for the project.
The first phase will focus on the highest-risk part of the site and the removal of approximately 200 drums and other containers. The second phase will include the removal of contaminated soil, a detailed hydrogeological survey, and other work aimed at the complete decontamination of the entire site.
The area will be guarded by the police, and the military will also be involved
Due to security risks, the site will be secured and guarded by the Police of the Czech Republic from September 7 to 21—that is, before cleanup work begins—and will subsequently be connected via technical means to the police’s integrated operations center.
These security measures are necessary, among other reasons, due to the possibility of other hazardous objects being present. The presence of landmines cannot be ruled out either. A landmine was found as early as 2023, which is why a pyrotechnic unit of the Czech Army will be involved in securing the site.
The Ministry of Defense will ensure the security of the site for the removal of hazardous waste, and the Ministry of the Interior will assist in securing the site. The Ministry of the Environment will oversee remediation and survey work.
The ministries will coordinate their efforts jointly. A criminal complaint will be filed.
A steering and coordination group led by the Ministry of the Environment will oversee the resolution of the entire situation; it will meet regularly with representatives of all affected ministries and institutions. The Ministry of the Environment will submit a proposal for a budgetary measure to finance the cleanup.
In connection with the actions of the former leadership of the Ministry of the Environment, a criminal complaint will be filed against an unknown perpetrator. The Ministry of the Environment will also investigate who is responsible for the fact that, despite experts’ recommendations, the cleanup was not initiated, and further leaks of hazardous substances occurred over the next three years, during which containers were found with as little as one-third of their contents remaining.