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Heads of Hungary’s meteorological service fired: They predicted bad weather that never came

The head of Hungary’s national meteorological service (NMS) and her deputy were fired today, two days after the bad weather they had predicted canceled a fireworks celebration in Budapest to mark the country’s national holiday.

Cornelia Radic and Jula Horvat were fired by Minister of Technology and Industry Laszlo Palkovic, to whom NMS reports. In the announcement of the ministry, no explanation is given for this decision.

But pro-government media yesterday slammed the weather service for predicting thunderstorms and gusty winds that canceled Saturday’s celebration.

“They gave misleading information about the severity of the bad weather, which led to wrong decisions by the safety team,” commented the online newspaper Origo.

In 2006, Hungary was left in mourning after a storm during the festivities left five people dead and hundreds injured, panicking the crowds that had gathered to watch the spectacle. on the banks of the Danube.

The NMS apologized on Sunday, citing the “uncertainty factor” that is “inherent in the meteorology profession” for the mistake.

Reacting to the dismissal of the scientists, liberal Andras Fekete-Gyor quipped in a Facebook post: “They failed to bring about the desired weather, they were thrown out. No, we are not in a Central Asian dictatorship. This is Fidesz’s Hungary.” , of the ruling party.

The event – billed as “the biggest in Europe” – with fireworks to celebrate the thousand-year history of the Hungarian state, has been postponed until August 27. The opposition had called in July for it to be canceled altogether, citing an “unnecessary waste of money” at a time when Viktor Orbán’s government is demanding citizens make an effort to overcome the difficult economic situation.

Source: Capital

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