Projectile event in Budapest, Margareten Bridge area, Hungary on Tue 28th July 2026

The explosive ordnance disposal teams of the 1st Engineer Regiment of the Hungarian Armed Forces (MH 1. Tűzszerész és Folyamőr Ezred) recovered ammunition from the World War II on July 24 at the southern end of Margaret Island in Budapest. Due to the low water level of the Danube, part of the suspicious object had become visible near the central pier of Margaret Bridge. At first, it was unclear whether the object was a live explosive or one that had already been rendered harmless.

For the duration of the operation, the Margareten Bridge was completely closed to traffic. In addition, the riverbank area of Margareten Island on the bridge side and a roughly 200-meter-long section of the Danube were cordoned off. Once the work was completed, it turned out that the object was a German 7.5-centimeter artillery shell. It was presumably fired from a 7.5-centimeter Panzerabwehrkanone 40 (Pak 40), one of the most commonly used anti-tank guns of the German Wehrmacht.

Low water levels expose ammunition

Due to the ongoing drought and low water levels in lakes and rivers, relics from past conflicts are repeatedly being uncovered. Remnants from World War II, in particular, can pose a potential danger. According to the 1st Engineer Regiment, approximately 170 reports of possible unexploded ordnance were received in June 2026 alone. A large portion of these involved ammunition and explosive devices from World War II that were discovered near bodies of water.

Hungarian explosive ordnance disposal experts repeatedly emphasize that suspicious objects should never be touched or moved. Anyone who finds what appears to be ammunition or an explosive device should mark the location and notify the police immediately. Even items that appear to be old or damaged can still pose a significant danger.

Relics from World War II

Hungary, and Budapest in particular, was the scene of fierce fighting toward the end of World War II. The Red Army’s siege of Budapest lasted nearly three and a half months. This period saw bitter street and house-to-house fighting, during which artillery and tanks were deployed in large numbers. Amid heavy shelling and air raids, numerous shells and bombs failed to detonate immediately. Many unexploded ordnance burrowed deep into the rubble, the soft soil along the Danube, or into cellar vaults, where they remained hidden even after the war ended.

It is not known how many relics from the World War era still lie buried in the ground. However, expert estimates and the operational statistics of the Hungarian Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service suggest that, even 80 years after the end of the war, a significant number still remain.