Following the reactivation of a landslide in the village of Mladosevica near Novi Seher on January 7, seven families have been forced to leave their homes, according to the Municipal Civil Protection Headquarters of Maglaj. These families have found temporary shelter with relatives and friends, Dzavid Alicic, Director of the Civil Protection Administration of the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK) confirmed.

During a visit to the affected area, ZDK Prime Minister Nezir Pivic, alongside Civil Protection Commander and Cantonal Environment Minister Adnan Sabani, and Maglaj Mayor Madi Suljakovic, reassured residents of government support.

“All families were offered accommodation, but they opted to stay with relatives and friends. Prime Minister Pivic promised that the ZDK Government would assist and ensure they are not abandoned,” said Alicic.

The landslide has also damaged the regional road R 474, particularly the section between Novi Seher and Tesanj, disrupting traffic flow.

“Currently, no remedial action can be taken until we receive the findings and recommendations from the FBiH Geological Institute. Their experts have collected the necessary data, and we are monitoring the situation daily. Although no major ground movements are currently observed, the soil has not fully stabilised,” Alicic added, expecting a report with proposed measures next week.

The landslide has threatened seven houses with 18 residents, including two children. The Maglaj municipality has declared a state of natural disaster for the Mladosevica area, with authorities monitoring the situation and police preventing citizens from approaching the site.

The landslide was initially activated in 2014, affecting 14 hectares, but the current estimates suggest it now spans 50 hectares. Although a remediation plan was prepared in 2015 by the FBiH Geological Institute, it was never implemented.

Alicic announced that remediation efforts would involve the Turkish company Cengiz and the public company Autoceste FBiH, as significant amounts of excavated material from the Corridor Vc project had been deposited in the affected area.