Hungary Shuts Down Paks Nuclear Plant Amid Record Heatwave

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced the total shutdown of the Paks nuclear power plant, the country's sole facility, due to record-low water levels in the Danube river caused by extreme heat.

The plant, which provides one-third of Hungary's electricity, will be completely offline for the first time in 44 years after output dropped to 240 megawatts on Sunday.

National weather service HungaroMet has forecast temperatures reaching 42C by Thursday, matching the national record as the country faces an energy crisis triggered by prolonged drought and successive heatwaves.