Hungarians preparing for nuclear war? Pharmacies swarmed for iodine tabs

Since Russia launched a military attack on Ukraine last week, the entire world has been keeping a watchful eye on the conflict. Everyone tries to get ready for the next move, while some even prepare for the worst-case scenario.

The onset of the war in neighbouring Ukraine has brought well over 100,000 refugees to seek shelter in Hungary. As the conflict is deteriorating severely, citizens started to become wary of their own safety.

Currency and passports

Last week we reported that the currency exchange market had skyrocketed, many people wanted to sell their Euros and US dollars due to the depreciation of the HUF.

Although the value of several currencies increased, many people bought US dollars, Euros, Swiss franc and British pound, likely to prepare for the possibility that they may need to flee the country if the war escalates and breaks into Hungarian territory.

Read also: Ukrainian refugees on Hungarian hospitality

Additionally, the waiting time for passports in several major offices in Hungary reached 3-4 hours as many people wanted to apply for a passport to be prepared for a rapid relocation if necessary.

Self-defence

Moreover, the number of purchases has increased significantly in many weapon shops in the country. “Since the start of the Russian invasion, the level of trade in our shop increased significantly.

The rise is threefold compared to an average month-end period,” Gábor Vass, the owner of four weapon stores in Budapest, told Telex.

Preparing for nuclear fallout?

The National Public Health Centre told RTL that the demand for iodine pills has significantly increased since Russia launched an attack against Ukraine, however many experts caution that this is unnecessary and can even harm people’s health.

Read also: The wealth of the richest Hungarians drastically fell because of the war

Tamás Marjai, the director of the Association of Networked Pharmacies (HGYSZ) told the news outlet that more and more people inquire about iodine pills for prevention.

However, the director highlighted that the unnecessary application of such pharmaceutical products can cause thyroid failure or other dangerous side effects.

Index also highlighted that “products used for disinfection and cleaning should never be consumed since they have extremely high iodine content which will certainly cause poisoning”.

Experts discourage people from unnecessarily consuming iodine products. They also underlined that in case of a nuclear outbreak the consumption of such products should follow the protocols of the Hungarian National Directorate General for Disaster Management.