Hungary orders removal of asbestos-contaminated gravel from Austria

Hungary's government has mandated the removal of 84,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated gravel from Austria, located in the Oladi-Plató district of Szombathely. The cleanup is expected to cost 3.6 billion Forint, and Budapest is seeking financial reimbursement from Vienna.

The situation has led to discussions between Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker. Magyar indicated that a new round of talks would be scheduled, noting that a joint working group established to address the issue has not yet achieved significant progress.

The gravel, identified as containing asbestos, poses a public health concern. The Hungarian government's order underscores the cross-border environmental challenges and the complexities of international cooperation in addressing them. The ongoing dialogue aims to resolve the financial and logistical aspects of the cleanup operation.