A deadly explosion and fire broke out at the MOL Group petrochemical plant in Tiszaújváros on Friday morning, leaving one person dead and several others seriously injured, according to reports from Hungarian media and official sources.

The incident occurred at around 9 AM at the MOL Petrolkémia facility. Thick black smoke could be seen rising from the industrial complex, while flames and firefighters in protective gear appeared in photographs sent by eyewitnesses from the scene, according to Telex and 444.hu.

According to local reports cited by the Tiszaújvárosi Krónika, the explosion may have involved a pyrogasoline pipeline at the plant, although authorities have not yet officially confirmed the exact cause.

Emergency services and helicopters deployed

Hungary’s disaster management authority said multiple fire engines were dispatched immediately, while a mobile laboratory unit was also sent to the site to monitor the situation. Witnesses reported that ambulance helicopters arrived at the plant as rescue operations continued throughout the morning.

Local information suggests that some nearby buildings suffered damage from the blast, including shattered windows. However, authorities stressed that the incident does not pose a danger to the wider population.

Dávid Dojcsák, spokesperson for the Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County disaster management authority, confirmed that firefighters were still working to extinguish the blaze.

PM expresses condolences

Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced on Facebook that one person had lost their life and several others had sustained serious injuries in the explosion. He expressed his condolences to the victim’s family.

The prime minister also said that Energy Minister István Kapitány was travelling to the scene together with Zsolt Hernádi, chairman and CEO of MOL.

Shock spreads through Tiszaújváros

Although many residents reportedly did not hear the explosion because of wind conditions, news of the incident spread quickly through Tiszaújváros, where many locals work at the petrochemical facility.

The MOL plant is one of Hungary’s most important industrial sites, playing a key role in the country’s petrochemical and energy sectors. Authorities are expected to launch a detailed investigation into the causes of the explosion once the fire is fully extinguished.

UPDATE

Additional information has since emerged about the circumstances of the deadly explosion. In a statement issued after the incident, MOL confirmed that the explosion occurred during the restart of the Olefin 1 unit at the MOL Petrolkémia site. The company said firefighters had managed to localise the blaze, although intervention efforts were still ongoing at the time of the statement.

MOL also confirmed that the accident resulted in one fatality and several serious injuries. The company added that experts have launched an investigation into the exact circumstances of the explosion.

György Fülöp, mayor of Tiszaújváros, told Telex that firefighting operations were continuing inside the industrial complex. He confirmed that authorities were aware of one death but said the exact number of injured people had not yet been established.

The mayor later addressed residents in a Facebook video, stressing that no public safety measures were necessary for the town’s population. He added that local authorities remained in continuous contact with disaster management officials and MOL executives throughout the emergency response.

Hungary’s disaster management authority later provided further details about the large-scale operation at the site. Firefighters from both Tiszaújváros and Miskolc were deployed alongside operational units and the mobile laboratory team. Crews have been tackling the flames from multiple directions using water cannons and foam jets while simultaneously cooling the industrial systems to prevent further damage or additional explosions.

Witness photographs from the area continue to show thick black smoke rising above the plant, while closer images reveal intense flames and firefighters in protective suits working inside the facility. According to Telex’s reporters on the ground, although many residents did not initially hear the explosion because of the wind direction, news spread rapidly through the city, where a large number of locals are employed by the petrochemical plant.

Emergency vehicles and rescue helicopters have reportedly continued arriving at the scene throughout the morning, and at least one nearby building is said to have suffered shattered windows from the force of the blast.

UPDATE: Health minister shares info on injured

Around 10.40 AM, Hungarian Health Minister Zsolt Hegedűs shared additional information on the injured:

“Final report: The scene was cleared at 10:25. Final numbers by hospital:
Debrecen: 1 intubated seriously injured by air; 1 not intubated seriously injured by air; 2 lightly injured by ground
Miskolc: 5 lightly injured by ground
One person died.
According to the disaster management, no toxic substance was released into the environment, and there is no threat to the public.”

Featured image: the MOL plant in Tiszaújváros. Photo: MOL