Dog Rescued from Ice-Covered Danube in Budapest
- 15 Jan 2026 9:35 AM
Hungarian firefighters faced freezing conditions on Tuesday, January 13, to rescue a dog that had fallen into icy water. The incident occurred amid a severe winter cold snap affecting much of the country.
Rescue teams used specialized equipment, including a raft, to reach the animal, which had clung desperately to the edge of broken ice. Video footage released by the National Disaster Management Directorate of the Interior Ministry shows firefighters and a diver carefully navigating the fragile ice before bringing the dog safely onto their raft.
Once back on solid ground, the dog was carried into an emergency vehicle, where rescuers wrapped it in towels and blankets to restore its body temperature. The animal was later transferred to a veterinarian for further care, officials confirmed.
The cold spell also disrupted daily life. Budapest Airport experienced a brief shutdown on Tuesday, while Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s largest lake, froze almost entirely — a rare event in recent years as winters in the region have generally become milder.
Authorities warned that the frozen lake is still dangerous. Measurements along the shoreline show ice thickness ranging from just 2 cm to 9 cm, far below safe levels for walking or skating.
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