Police investigate suspected arson of DIOZ animal welfare van in Podhale after Morskie Oko protest

Overnight vehicle fire in Groń

Emergency services received a call at 01:55 on Sunday, 23 August 2026, reporting a commercial van on fire on a property near a lodging facility in Groń, in the Bukowina Tatrzańska municipality. Firefighters arriving at the scene discovered flames burning around the rear wheel area of the vehicle, which belonged to the Dolnośląski Inspektorat Ochrony Zwierząt (DIOZ) animal welfare group. Officers from the Zakopane district police headquarters secured physical evidence and scheduled witness interviews, surveillance camera footage reviews, and discussions with local residents. Investigators determined that intentional arson is the most probable cause of the fire.

Senior Aspirant Maciej Kasprzycki detailed the scope of the police inquiry during an interview with Radio Alex.

At the moment we are considering several aspects. The most probable version is arson of this vehicle.

Kasprzycki added that police actions are directed toward establishing the identity of the perpetrator or perpetrators.

Protest on the Morskie Oko route

The fire occurred less than 24 hours after DIOZ members conducted a protest on the mountain route leading to Morskie Oko in the Tatras. On Saturday, 22 August 2026, activists blocked a horse-drawn tourist carriage, which led to a confrontation with local drivers and prompted police intervention. Officers used physical force to push protesters off the road and checked the identities of participants. Animal protection organizations have long campaigned to abolish horse transport along the trail, citing severe strain on draft animals.

Following the blaze, DIOZ published statements accusing local Podhale residents of setting the vehicle on fire. The group stated that its members had been shadowed, had received death threats, and were warned that their animal care centers would be burned.

Highlanders set us on fire in retaliation for the fight for horses from Morskie Oko!

Financial damage and fundraising response

DIOZ informed police that the destroyed vehicle, used for rescue interventions and animal transport, had an estimated value of approximately 500,000 PLN. Police officials confirmed that the full financial damage would be formally assessed during subsequent investigative procedures. In response to the loss, DIOZ started an online fundraising campaign titled "Odwet górali na DIOZ" with a funding target of 1,000,000 PLN.

The organization stated that collected funds will go toward rebuilding its rescue fleet, securing its facilities, and hiring round-the-clock legal representation to pursue threats and defamation. DIOZ also publicly criticized the response of the Zakopane police, alleging partiality toward local coachmen and claiming forensic technicians took almost two hours to arrive at the scene.

Demands for government intervention

DIOZ issued appeals to the General Police Headquarters, the Ministry of the Interior and Administration under Marcin Kierwiński, and the Ministry of Climate and Environment. The organization demanded full police protection and called on Climate and Environment Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska to appear in person on the Morskie Oko trail. Activists announced that they will resume direct action by blocking horse-drawn carriages on the route again on Monday, 24 August 2026.