Bomb (Air Delivered) event in Budapest area, Hungary on Mon 7th September 2026

On Monday, the Hungarian Defense Forces’ Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit reported that a suspected World War II explosive device had been discovered in the Danube, in Budapest’s 22nd district. For the duration of the bomb disposal operation, police evacuated and cordoned off a section of the river approximately 200 meters long, as well as the road running alongside it.

 According to reports, the suspected explosive device was discovered near Árasztó Road. Bomb disposal divers retrieved the 250-kilogram U.S. aerial bomb from the Danube and transported it to the Hungarian Defense Forces’ central collection site.

Hungary Today previously reported that the receding water level of the Danube has led to the frequent discovery of World War II-era explosive devices, as well as the remains of soldiers, a military motorcycle and a Roman-era statue. A suspected World War II artillery shell had mysteriously disappeared from the receding Danube riverbed, also in the 22nd district, shortly after a finder had reported it to the police. By the time patrol officers arrived at the scene, the explosive device had presumably already been taken by someone.

The stolen artillery shell could cause serious or even fatal injuries if it were to detonate.

The Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK) has launched a criminal investigation into the unauthorized handling of explosives and is asking the public for assistance, while also issuing a strong warning: moving or dismantling explosive devices that are several decades old can result in fatal injuries.