William Penn Life, 2006 (41. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
2006-09-01 / 9. szám
Magyar Matters Authorities search for answers in wake of storm which killed 4 in Budapest by Susanne Sulcer, The Budapes Sun BUDAPEST — At least four people were killed and almost 400 injured when a fierce storm hit central Budapest, catching off-guard an estimated 1 to 1.5 million spectators who had gathered along the Danube to watch the annual Aug. 20 firework celebrations. The large crowd of panicked people was sent fleeing for cover shortly after the show began at 9:00 p.m. A sudden rainstorm, lightning and strong winds of up to 75 m.p.h. uprooted trees, blew out windows and smashed cars. Investigations by Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány have found that the Meteorological Service sent the first warning email to the Disaster Management Authority at 5:31 p.m., which was followed by a high-alert message at 7:39 p.m. However, the message was read by the authority only after 11:00 p.m. Tibor Dobson, spokesperson of the Disaster Management Authority, acknowledged that the email had been read too late, and said that those responsible for it would be punished. But, he questioned why the meteorologists hadn't contacted them by phone. According to the Budapest Fire Department, a man in his 30s and a 12-year-old girl died when a large tree fell on a crowd of spectators on the Buda side of the river, while the cause of an elderly woman's death in Pest remained unclear. A fourth body was pulled from the Danube on Aug. 21. Three people had to be rescued from the river—a fourth is still missing-after two boats collided on the Danube. MTI news agency quoted eyewitness Nóra Kvasz, as saying, "I was scared to death because of the huge winds and I also feared that I would be trampled by the crowd. People were screaming everywhere." Falling trees and tiles blown from the rooftops of buildings injured several people, and many were forced to flee the Buda castle, where the roof of the presidential Sándor Palace was damaged. A platform stage collapsed at one busy viewing spot, causing panic. Area hospitals reported there were still at least 11 people, seven of them children, still in critical condition on Aug. 21. Pál Győrfi, spokesperson of the National Ambulance and Emergency Service, said the response of 40 emergency cars was hindered, as rescue teams had difficulties getting to certain locations through the crowd. None of the authorities seemed willing to take responsibility for the disaster. Budapest Mayor Gábor Demszky said the tragedy could have been prevented if the fireworks had been cancelled after the weather reports at around 8:00 p.m. indicating the approaching storm. But he added that this was not the city council's duty. Dobson, of the Disaster Management Authority, told MTI "a strong storm was forecast, but it was not specified whether it would hit Budapest and when it was expected to arrive," Dobson said. "The million-large crowd could not have escaped on time, even if the celebrations would have been cancelled last-minute, which was not the disaster management's responsibility," Dobson said. However, the Hungarian Meteorological Service insisted it had warned the organizers of the fireworks in advance about the violent storm. According to meteorologist László Molnár, the police contacted the meteorological services in advance, while organizing company Nexus Kft did not. "If half as many people would have taken action during the storm on Sunday, as there were trying to initiate investigations on Monday, the tragedy could have been avoided," Albert Takács, deputy ombudsman for citizen's rights told online news portal Index.hu. 1 In Brief | Carpathian Folk Quartet to perform in Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH - The Carpathian Folk Quartet will perform at a dinner-dance at the Hungarian Social Club located in the Hazelwood section of Pittsburgh on Saturday, Sept. 30. The quartet is headed by renowned cimbalon player Sándor Kuti and violinist Attila Jakob. The evening will begin with a Hungarian dinner, followed by a performance by the quartet and open dancing. Tickets are $20 per person. For more information, call (412) 521-9802. New ambassador to Hungary makes first official visit BUDAPEST - America’s new ambassador to Hungary, April H Foley, presented her credentials to Hungarian President László Sólyom at the Sándor Palota on Aug 18. Following the ceremony, which officially marks the start of her posting, the ambassador laid a wreath at Hősök tere. Foley was sworn in by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on July 5. Foley has had an extensive career in professional management Most recently, she served as first vice president and vice chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. Do you have news about people or events in the American Hungarian community you want to share? If so, please submit your story, photographs and contact information to: John E. Lovász, Publications Editor, William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. 1 1 William Penn Life, September 2006
