Hungary orders removal of asbestos gravel, demands Austria pay

Hungary's government has ordered the removal of asbestos-contaminated gravel from 22 streets in the western Hungarian city of Szombathely, a move affecting 1,500 residents. The cleanup involves removing 84,000 tons of hazardous material, with estimated costs reaching 10 million euros.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced that the work will commence within one to two weeks, conducted under cover. He reiterated his stance that the polluter must pay, pointing fingers at quarries in Austria's Burgenland region and Austria itself. Magyar stated that Hungary will initially finance the operations, meticulously documenting every step and expense.

“

The polluter must bear the responsibility and thus the costs.

The asbestos contamination scandal first surfaced in Szombathely, where gravel from Burgenland quarries was used for road construction. This led to the closure of four affected quarries in January due to asbestos contamination. The Hungarian government estimates that over 250 communities across the country may be impacted, fueling public anxiety about long-term health consequences since the scandal broke in early 2026.

“

Every work process, all costs will be documented, which the Hungarian state will initially co-finance.