Fire at MOL Danube Refinery in Hungary

A fire broke out on the evening of October 20 at the AV3 unit of MOL’s Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta, Hungary.
According to Magyar Nemzet and UNN, by the morning of October 21, the blaze had been contained, with no casualties reported.

MOL confirmed that the incident did not cause any injuries and that the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Firefighters kept the situation under control, while other refinery units are gradually being restarted.
Local authorities reported that air quality remained within safe limits.

“We are following emergency protocols and, while assessing the damage, gradually restarting unaffected units,” — MOL said in its statement.

The company emphasized that in the coming period it will focus on maintaining stable fuel supplies to the domestic market and, if necessary, use strategic reserves.

Comment by the Institute of Danube Research:
The IDR notes that the incident at MOL’s Danube Refinery is a significant signal regarding the vulnerability of the Danube region’s energy infrastructure.
The refinery in Százhalombatta is a key crude oil processing facility in Central Europe, covering up to 70% of Hungary’s fuel market and exporting to Slovakia, Croatia, and partly Ukraine.

Although there is no environmental threat, the event may temporarily affect fuel supply rhythms in the region, particularly amid seasonal demand growth.
IDS emphasizes the need for enhanced coordination among EU member states’ energy institutions and the activation of joint emergency response mechanisms, in line with the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) and broader EU energy security initiatives.