Croatia declared free of landmines after 31 years
Feb 28th 2026
Interior Minister Davor Božinović announced that all known minefields have been cleared after a 31-year effort, marking Croatia as officially mine free and ending a long and costly demining campaign.
- Officials say nearly 107,000 mines and 407,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance were removed.
- The demining campaign cost about 1.2 billion euros.
- Over 31 years, 208 people died during clearance operations, including 41 deminers.
- Interior Minister Davor Božinović announced the clearance in Zagreb on International Civil Protection Day.
- Authorities say the work was completed in accordance with the Ottawa Convention.
- Officials expect safer communities, more farmland, and a boost to rural development and tourism.