According to him, health institutions need to gather more information through epidemiological surveys in order to identify the source of the infection.

Klekovski called on residents to respond to epidemiological teams and cooperate with them, stressing that patient data are essential to identifying the cause.

“Several institutions are involved in the epidemiological investigation, and several types of analyses are being conducted to rule out all possibilities, from heavy metals, parasites and viruses to bacteria. So far, only 19 residents have completed an epidemiological survey. I appeal to residents to respond positively to invitations from Gostivar’s epidemiological services and cooperate with them. We need many more epidemiological surveys to find the cause and link possible sources of infection,” Klekovski said.

He added that he could not assess the situation, as the investigation of the case falls under the authority of epidemiologists.

“Neither I nor the director of the public enterprise can determine the cause. That is the job of epidemiologists. There is the Public Health Centre and the Institute of Public Health, and their assessment must be awaited. Unofficially, I can say that the likelihood of 1,000 people being poisoned by food is very small. Moreover, this situation has now been ongoing for four days, so, in my view, food can be ruled out as a possible source,” Klekovski said.

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According to him, all relevant authorities are currently on the ground, while water samples are being analysed. Mickoski also announced that the Prosecutor’s Office has launched proceedings over the matter.

“At this moment, all institutions are on the ground, measures are being taken, water samples are being tested, and we have a process also being led by the Prosecutor’s Office. I think that very soon information will emerge about what happened, who gave the order for this to happen and, of course, there will be accountability,” Mickoski stressed.

He described it as shocking that certain individuals could act irresponsibly, again underlining that the case would not go without consequences.

“The case will not be left like this. I truly cannot understand how some people can behave so irresponsibly and shamelessly. It is simply unbelievable how easily they accept these things and decide to do such things. For me, all of this is shocking and simply unbelievable, everything that someone did there. But there will be accountability, certainly, and that accountability will naturally have to be determined further within the framework of legal proceedings,” Prime Minister Mickoski said.

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According to Tetovo Police, it is suspected that the public utility company “Vodovod,” together with the Municipality of Gostivar, installed three pumps in the bed of wastewater. Through them, according to suspicions, water was sent directly into the city’s main supply pipe.

The Tetovo Police statement stresses that the act is suspected to have been carried out to increase pressure in the network due to a shortage of drinking water, directly endangering the health of Gostivar residents.

Police said that all necessary procedures are under way to fully clarify the case, on suspicion of the criminal offence of “Contamination of Drinking Water,” provided for and punishable under Article 219 of the Criminal Code.

In addition to the police and prosecution, the Institute of Public Health, the Food and Veterinary Agency, the State Environmental Inspectorate and a licensed expert have also been engaged in the investigative procedure. The latter will conduct a professional assessment of the system suspected of having been installed unlawfully.

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