According to the Hungarian Defence Forces' bomb disposal unit, dropping water levels along the Danube exposed what was suspected to be a World War II explosive device near the bridge’s central pillar.

During the operation, the bridge was closed from both Buda and Pest bridgeheads, alongside the southern entrance of Margaret Island and a 200-meter exclusion zone on the river. 

Authorities confirmed that the object wedged between the rocks in the Danube was the casing of a 7.5 cm World War II German artillery shell.

Margaret Bridge and the surrounding 200-meter river radius were temporarily closed for approximately 15 minutes in the early hours of the morning while the operation was carried out.

Earlier: Suspected Explosive Closes Budapest's Margit Bridge

Margaret Bridge was temporarily closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic early Friday morning following the discovery of an unexploded World War II device near its central pillar.

The Hungarian Defence Forces' bomb disposal unit announced on Thursday that prolonged dry weather and dropping water levels along the Danube had exposed a suspected explosive object approximately 10 centimeters in diameter, located roughly 15 meters from the bridge’s central support.

To safely manage the defusal operation, authorities instituted a full security perimeter beginning at 5:00 AM.

The closure encompassed the bridge from both the Buda and Pest bridgeheads, the southern entrance of Margaret Island, and a 200-meter exclusion zone on the river surrounding the site.

Budapest transport authority BKK implemented short-term reroutings during the early morning window, temporarily splitting the major 4-6 tram line service, diverting local bus routes over Árpád Bridge, and advising commuters to utilize Metro Line M2.

Recent summer heatwaves across Europe have driven the Danube down toward near-record low water levels in Budapest, frequently exposing submerged World War II remnants and altering river navigation throughout the region.

Photo: Pixabay

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.

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