Hungary Scrambles Fighter Jets After Drunk 24-Year-Old Flies Stolen Plane Toward Nuclear Plant
Translated from Polish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
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- Hungarian authorities scrambled two Gripen fighters after radar detected a stolen light aircraft flying toward the Paks nuclear power plant.
- The aircraft made an emergency landing near Gerjen, where the pilots located the damaged plane and remained until rescue and ground services arrived.
- Police arrested the 24-year-old suspect, who said he was so drunk that he could not remember stealing the plane; prosecutors opened proceedings over theft and robbery.
Hungary scrambled two Gripen fighter jets after a stolen light aircraft headed toward the Paks nuclear power plant, turning an alleged drunken joyride into a military alert.
The 24-year-old man reportedly took the Cessna 172 from an airport in Kalocsa on the morning of Aug. 29. Military radar detected the aircraft as it flew toward the nuclear facility, and authorities ordered the pair of fighters on duty to take off.
The events clearly show what readiness means in practice: detect, respond, identify and help, immediately.
The plane later made an emergency landing near Gerjen. Defense Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi said the Gripens located the damaged aircraft and stayed above the site until a rescue helicopter and ground emergency services arrived. He said the incident showed what military readiness meant in practice: detecting, responding, identifying and helping immediately. He also said Hungary's armed forces remained ready around the clock.
According to 24.hu, the man tried to leave after landing. A passing driver spotted him by the road and attempted to help, but the man allegedly tried to steal the driver's vehicle. Police detained him while he was attempting to flee. He was first taken to hospital and then placed in custody. The suspect said he had been so intoxicated that he did not remember stealing the aircraft. Proceedings began on suspicion of theft and robbery.
The Hungarian armed forces are on standby 24 hours a day.
About this summary
Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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