On 6 February 2020, the Zaldibar landfill collapsed and workers Alberto Sololuze and Joaquín Beltrán were killed, trapped by a waste. On Sunday, in the Eitzaga district of Zaldibar, in the disaster area, a commemorative tribute was paid by the Zaldibar Argitu platform. Citizens have reiterated that the issue remains to be clarified after three years: “Despite direct political responsibilities, no one has assumed them.”

It should be remembered that the body of Sololuze has not appeared, and the members of the platform have stressed that they will continue to “seek light in all this darkness.” It is clear that it was an “avoidable disaster”: “What happened in the landfill and the deaths of both workers were not an accident, as those responsible for Verter Recycling accepted in the courts a reckless murder,” said Janire Lazkano of the platform, Gara. They have also called for continued work so that the lawsuit does not fall into oblivion: “Let those who go along the highway not forget that under this green field there are a lot of poisons.”

Area larger than authorised

After more than three years the suit remains open and the courts investigate the crime against the environment. On 28 February, three environmental technicians from the Basque Government, as Berria has pointed out, will have to declare in research.

According to the latest information, a report from the Ertzaintza to the court indicates that the company Verter Recycling used an area of 64,699 square metres higher than that required without authorisation for the landfill. In other words, the City of Zaldibar and the government accepted the management of 137,259 square meters, but used a 47.10% higher, according to Berria.