A garbage fire in Mykolaiv caused more than 700,000 hryvnias in environmental damage

In September 2023 at the municipal solid waste landfill in Mykolaiv there was a prolonged fire. The blaze affected about 3,000 square meters, destroyed rubbish and solid household waste and caused an excessive release of pollutants into the atmosphere. Rescuers extinguished the fire over several hours.

During the pre-trial investigation, investigators of the Mykolaiv District Police Department, under the procedural guidance of the District Prosecutor’s Office of the city of Mykolaiv, established that the 49-year-old head of the landfill of one of the municipal enterprises was responsible for ensuring the proper operation of the facility, as well as its environmental, sanitary and fire safety condition.

Specialists from the State Environmental Inspection of the South-Western District calculated that the damage caused to the environment exceeds UAH 700,000. This amount of damage was also confirmed by the conclusion of an engineering-environmental examination additionally ordered by the investigators.

The official was notified of suspicion of polluting the atmospheric air with substances harmful to the environment through violation of special rules, which created a danger to the environment. He is also charged with improper performance of official duties due to negligent attitude toward them, which, according to the investigation, caused serious consequences to state interests.

The suspect’s actions were qualified under Part 1 of Article 241 and Part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. If found guilty, he faces up to five years imprisonment, deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities, as well as fines.

The pre-trial investigation continues. According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a guilty verdict of a court.

Source: Mykolaiv Region Police.

Previously we wrote:

• Dust, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide: exceedances found in 30 air samples in Mykolaiv
• A motorcycle caught fire near a house: 12 fires extinguished in the Mykolaiv region in one day — in Mykolaiv — State Emergency Service report
• In Mykolaiv one in four air samples showed pollutant exceedances
• In the Mykolaiv region rescuers prevented a house from burning down completely
• In one day, rescuers in the Mykolaiv region extinguished 24 fires