Explosion disrupts water supply to Kosovo's energy plants

On Friday evening, November 29, 2024, an explosion occurred in northern Kosovo, damaging a canal that supplies water to two key coal-fired power plants, which are vital for the country's electricity production. This incident has been classified by authorities as a terrorist act, as stated by Kosovo Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla, who reported from the scene. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries, but the blast raised concerns regarding security and public safety. The explosion took place before 6 p.m. GMT and resulted in part of the canal being damaged. The canal is crucial not only for electricity production but also for providing drinking water to Kosovo's capital, Pristina. Faruk Mujka, head of the local water company Ibar-Lepenci, indicated that an explosive device was likely thrown into the canal, creating significant damage and leading to concerns about the subsequent water supply interruptions. This incident comes in the context of rising ethnic tensions in Kosovo, particularly between ethnic Albanians and Serbs. Earlier on the same day, increased police security measures had already been announced in response to recent violent attacks, including hand grenades thrown at a police station and a municipality building in areas populated by ethnic Serbians. Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani attributed this latest violence to alleged Serbian criminal gangs without presenting concrete evidence to support these claims, highlighting ongoing ethnic discord in the region. While the investigation into the explosion is in its early stages, the immediate effects are significant. The water supply must be halted to allow for repairs, placing added strain on the existing system. Given that Kosovo has a troubled history of conflict and political instability, such incidents raise fears of further escalation and the potential for broader violence, which could threaten both the infrastructure and safety of the population.