Latest news in Hungary - 17 Aug 2025

Frosty Surprise in Bükk Mountains: A significant temperature drop in the Bükk Plateau led to a frosty night, with temperatures plummeting to -2.5 degrees Celsius at the Mohos Sinkhole, marking the summer's 34th frost day. This extreme cooling followed a high of 31.6 degrees just 12 hours earlier, showcasing the unique temperature fluctuations characteristic of this area. Read more here

Szijjártó Praises Trump-Putin Meeting: Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó believes that high-level dialogue between the U.S. and Russia, exemplified by the recent Trump-Putin meeting, contributes to global safety, despite no immediate outcomes from the summit. He emphasized that peace in Ukraine can only be secured through negotiations and open diplomatic channels, suggesting that Russia may be regaining its superpower status. Read more here

Mosquitoes Make a Comeback in Hungary: With warmer weather extending insect seasons, experts advise that mosquito encounters are on the rise, influenced by climate change and new species like the Asian tiger mosquito, which can spread certain diseases. Prevention tips include using insect repellent, wearing long clothing, and using smoke coils outdoors. Read more here

Giant Catfish Caught in the Tisza: Péter Májer from Ónod has made waves by catching a stunning 240-centimeter catfish dubbed "Methuselah" in the Tisza River, ranking him among the top catches in Europe. His fishing prowess includes a previous catch of 210 centimeters and an impressive day where eight meters of catfish were caught and released. Read more here

Drug Commissioner Critiques Ozora Festival: László Horváth, Hungary's government drug commissioner, emphasizes the need to eradicate drug trafficking, labeling the Ozora Festival as a "gateway to hell." With a reported 20-30% increase in drug seizures since March and a focus on performers' responsibility, he condemns festivals that normalize drug use and advocates for alternative community-focused events. Read more here

Trail Runner Missing in Borsod Competition: Zsolt Spitzmüller, a 39-year-old experienced trail runner, has been missing since Saturday during the Cseresi Trapp race, last seen at 11:20 AM. The search continues as authorities express concern he may be disoriented due to dehydration and lack of phone access. Read more here

Changes to Utility Bill Calculations: MVM Next will update the utility box on bills starting in August to reflect more accurate savings from price reductions, aligning calculations with current market rates for electricity and gas. While this change aims to improve transparency, it still uses figures that exceed actual competitive market prices, with natural gas being calculated at around 770 HUF per cubic meter. Read more here

Young Woman Rescued After Fall into Danube: A young woman fell onto the rocks from the embankment near Széchenyi Street in Budapest late Sunday night. Firefighters successfully rescued her using rope techniques, and she was taken to the hospital with serious limb injuries but is in stable condition. Read more here

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