Authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina say a Marian Catholic pilgrimage site in Medjugorje has been vandalized. Reports state that vandals defaced the shrine and set fire to a nearby outdoor altar. The attacks prompt a police investigation. One outlet notes that the incident occurs just days before tens of thousands of pilgrims are expected to arrive, suggesting heightened security concerns ahead of the upcoming gatherings.
The Medjugorje shrine is located roughly 140 km southwest of Sarajevo. It has drawn international attention as a major destination for Catholic pilgrims. Local authorities describe the act as desecration and are working to identify those responsible and assess the damage. Public statements emphasize the involvement of law enforcement and the ongoing investigation, with no information released in the reports about suspects or motives. The incident is reported as part of a broader pattern of vandalism and attacks on religious sites, though the sources focus on the immediate damage and the planned influx of visitors to the area.
