External Attack Suspected in Hungarian Refinery Explosion
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has suggested that an ‘external attack’ may have caused the explosion at Hungary’s largest oil refinery, the Dan, which is a critical part of the country’s energy infrastructure. The incident, which occurred last week, has raised concerns about the security of key industrial facilities. Orban emphasized that the refinery, located in Szazhalombatta, is one of the five most important strategic industrial plants in Hungary, underscoring its significance to the nation’s economic and energy security.
Orban’s comments came in the context of recent tensions with Poland over the Druzhba pipeline. The Polish Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, had previously called on Ukrainians to damage the pipeline, which is a key route for Russian crude oil to Europe. Orban stated that he hoped the refinery incident was not connected to these calls, though he noted that the investigation into the cause of the explosion is still ongoing.
The Szazhalombatta facility, also known as the Danube refinery, was built to process crude received via the Dru. The explosion at the refinery coincided with a similar incident at a Druzhba-connected oil facility in Ploiesti, Romania. This has raised questions about the safety and security of these critical energy infrastructure sites. Orban’s government has been negotiating with the refinery’s owner, MOL Group, to address rising petrol prices, which have spiked following the incident.
Hungary’s energy strategy has long been a point of contention, particularly with the European Union. Orban has been a vocal critic of the EU’s response to the Ukraine conflict, including sanctions on Russia, which he argues have harmed Hungary’s economy. The country relies heavily on Russian energy imports, and Orban has accused Brussels of neglecting Hungary’s concerns, including the threat to the Druzhba pipeline from Ukrainian attacks.
The incident at the Danube refinery highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region, with concerns about energy security and the role of critical infrastructure in national defense. As the investigation continues, the situation remains under close scrutiny, with potential implications for both Hungary’s economy and its relationships within the EU and with Russia.