Sarajevo authorities issued an air quality warning and introduced emergency restrictions after the Bosnian capital was ranked the world’s most polluted city on two consecutive evenings by Swiss air quality monitor IQAir. The move came as hazardous air conditions gripped the city of around 350,000 people, following days of dense fog and smog. Officials said pollution levels had risen sharply, prompting immediate intervention to protect public health.
The cantonal government banned trucks weighing over 3.5 tonnes and vehicles that fail to meet European Union emissions standards from entering the city, while also suspending construction work in open areas and prohibiting outdoor public gatherings. Experts say pollution in Sarajevo is largely driven by winter heating, with around 40,000 households relying on firewood and coal, as well as heavy traffic, with nearly 180,000 registered vehicles in the city.
Sarajevo’s location in a valley surrounded by mountains worsens the problem due to temperature inversion, which traps cold air and pollutants near the ground for days. Bosnia ranks among Europe’s worst countries for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution, which the World Bank links to thousands of premature deaths annually and significant economic losses. Health experts warn that prolonged exposure increases the risk of lung cancer and poses serious dangers to vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women and the elderly.
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