Refinery Accidents in Romania and Hungary: Safety Concerns and Geopolitical Speculation
On the evening of October 20th, explosions occurred at oil refineries in both Romania and Hungary, raising concerns given their connections to Russia. The Danube Refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary, experienced a fire following an explosion, potentially leading to a temporary shutdown while the cause is investigated. Simultaneously, the Petrotel-Lukoil refinery in Romania, owned by a subsidiary of the Russian company Lukoil, also saw an explosion, with local authorities considering various possibilities, including deliberate acts. The extent of the damage and the duration of repairs, especially at the Hungarian refinery, are still being assessed.