N

Defense Minister: 1,400 soldiers are assisting flood protection efforts in Hungary

The Hungarian Armed Forces are assisting in handling the situation caused by the floods as requested by the counties.

Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said as many as 1,400 soldiers are assisting flood protection efforts in Hungary, but the military is prepared to deploy as many service members as necessary.

Troops are working day and night along the Danube and are also present in the Mosonmagyarovar area in the northwest and at two localities in Komarom-Esztergom County in the north, Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky said, according to a ministry statement.

Soldiers are also being deployed to other towns and villages, he said.

"The Hungarian Armed Forces are assisting in handling the situation caused by the floods as requested by the counties," Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky said.

The military is using PTS-M tracked amphibious vehicles as well as H145M helicopters in the defense work, the minister said, adding that plans are to deploy professional, contract and reservist troops to aid with the protection efforts.